Independent expert to rule on future of Castle Hall School

Dec 3 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE FATE of a Mirfield school lies in the hands of one man.

Plans to close Castle Hall School are being examined by the independent Office of the Schools Adjudicator.

Canon Richard Lindley – whose decision is final – has been called in by governors in an appeal against Kirklees Council’s plans to close the school in 2013 and expand Mirfield Free Grammar school.

Mr Lindley is spending yesterday and today speaking with headteachers and governors at both schools and councillors as part of his visit.

He will also be facing parents in two meetings at each school.

Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik – who has been opposed to the closure plans from the start – will also be meeting with the adjudicator this afternoon.

Last night, hundreds of parents gathered at the first meeting to express their views.

Karen Rowling, chair of the action group Retain Education At Castle Hall (REACH) group, was among them.

She said: “This is what we have been fighting for over the last 14 months.

“We find it unbelievable that the council has done this and voted for closure.

“Now, it is about a show of strength against these proposals.

“We want to show him that the whole community is against it.

“He will get to see all the things we have submitted to the council over the last 14 months because Kirklees are legally bound to provide all the information.

“We always knew we would see it through to the end.

“We are very nervous, but are feeling confident about the outcome.”

She said the closure plans did not stack up, considering the school’s excellent results.

The mum-of-two added: “We are the best performing non-selective school in Kirklees, with 73% of pupils getting A* to C at GCSE, including Maths and English.

“They say there are too many places which aren’t needed in Mirfield, but Castle Hall is over-subscribed.

“We are very bitter towards the council.”