Independent expert to rule on future of Castle Hall School

Dec 3 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

The closure decision followed many months of consultation as part of the £200m Building Schools For the Future project. Castle Hall will close and pupils will move to Mirfield Free Grammar School.

It is expected to be four weeks until Mr Lindley reaches a decision, considering all the evidence.

Mr Malik said: “I think it would be a devastatingly bad decision for the local people of Mirfield and the surrounding area.

“In Castle Hall, we have the best performing comprehensive in Kirklees and in Mirfield Free Grammar we have got a school described by Ofsted as outstanding.

“Closure does not make any sense.

“I could understand it if these were failing schools. That would be more logical.

“Once you change a school and get up to 2,000 children going there, the culture changes.

“The adjudicator has a proven track record of being a very fair man and our arguments are very straight and powerful. I think our chances are quite good.”

Who is Canon Richard Lindley

THE MAN at the centre of the Castle Hill School debate has a long career in education.

Adjudicator Canon Richard Lindley spent more than 20 years as director of education for the Birmingham and Winchester Church of England Dioceses.

He has experience of secondary teaching and pastoral work.

He also has extensive knowledge of school organisation and resolving admissions disputes, as chair of the School Organisation Committees and Admissions Forums.

He has undertaken work for Hampshire County Council in the admissions field and carries out consultancy and advisory work for other local authorities.