Fartown High School to move onto All Saints site in Huddersfield

Mar 18 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD’S first new secondary school for more than 30 years could be built at Bradley.

Kirklees Council today announced today it wants to build a £20m-plus school for 11 to 16-year-olds on the same extended campus as All Saints Catholic College, which will benefit from refurbishment.

It will replace Fartown High School, which will close, and will have 1,200 places for children from Birkby, Bradley, Deighton, Fartown, Fixby and Sheepridge.

The move, which is part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, would see Fartown close in August next year.

For more on BSF read on to Page 3.

The BSF project attracted a lot of controversy when it was discussed in North Kirklees. One plan, to shut Castle Hall School in Mirfield, was met with a massive protest which saw the original decision overturned.

The new Huddersfield school, which would be run by a private bidder, and could become an Academy, would remain on the Fartown site for two years, under a new name, until the new building was completed and ready for opening in September 2013.

Plans to be considered by next Wednesday’s Kirklees Council Cabinet meeting, have already received all-party backing following lengthy talks with the Diocese of Leeds, which runs All Saints.

All Saints and the new school would share access off Bradley Road but two new accesses could also be created through the Bradley Business Park and on Fell Greave Road.

The Diocese said they were pleased that All Saints will benefit from a significant refurbishment.

They would also share state-of-the art indoor and outdoor facilities including sporting and community provision.

Dr Andy Williams, executive headteacher at Fartown High School said: “The proposals as outlined represent tremendously exciting news for the local community.

“This has the potential to create a really outstanding school designed for the 21st century and providing marvellous opportunities for young people and their families.”

Clr Ken Smith, deputy council leader and Cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, said: “I would hope the people of this community will see it as a sign of investment in the area.”

And Clr Cath Harris, who also has responsibility for children and families said: “This is a large and diverse population and we see this as a sign of commitment to the area to give that area a greater sense of self worth.”

Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan said the plans would be an exciting development for today’s students and generations to come.

“We are taking positive action to improve standards of education. Local schools for local children and young people are at the very heart of our strategy and everyone agrees that education in this part of Huddersfield is in need of a fresh start.

“In order to take this important step Fartown High School would have to close, but we will work closely with students, staff and parents so that the transition is smooth.