JUBILANT parents celebrated last night after councillors agreed to set up a new school in Huddersfield.

Holmfirth High governors will establish a new school on the site of Fartown High in September after beating off opposition from two rival bidders.

Dozens of parents and pupils who had crammed in to Huddersfield Town Hall’s Council Chamber cheered and clapped as Kirklees Council’s Cabinet unanimously backed Holmfirth.

“I think it was an excellent decision,” said Azher Latif of Fartown Parents Action Group moments after the vote.

“This is just the start of a long journey, but the passion is there if everyone pulls together.”

Holmfirth High head teacher Andrew Williams has been in charge of Fartown High for the last year, overseeing an improvement in GCSE results.

“We’re delighted that the council has put its trust in us,” he said.

“There are some big challenges ahead, but what we’ve seen today is a desire from the community to work with the school. That’s what the new school will be about.”

Mr Williams added: “We want to make sure that the school becomes outstanding.”

The new school will be set up at Fartown High in September but may move to a purpose-built site elsewhere in north Huddersfield if funds become available.