SIX Kirklees schools opened their doors for the first time yesterday – four as academies, one as a trust school and one as a ‘free school’.
Moor End Academy, Mirfield Free Grammar School, Shelley College and Rastrick High School all welcomed pupils after undergoing the transition during the school holidays to become academies.
Elsewhere, North Huddersfield Trust School replaces the former Fartown High School and Batley Grammar School has become one of the first ‘free schools’ in the country.
Academies are run independently and receive their funding directly from the Department for Education while trust schools have greater control over their budget but remain part of the local education authority.
Moor End Academy principal Jane Acklam said: “We have a new academy and we are going to build on the success of our outstanding school.
“We are delighted with the new uniforms – they look fantastic – and we are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from parents to make alterations and generally help out to get them up and running.”
She added: “We have spent £100,000 on new toilet facilities and a considerable amount upgrading furniture in our restaurant. We want to make our student facilities the best we can to enhance their learning environment.”
The Crosland Moor school is one of several in Huddersfield planning to switch to academy status.
