PLANNERS will decide if a Huddersfield school will be able to educate more international children.

Rastrick Independent School has asked Calderdale Council for permission to build two dormitory blocks for young people from around the world who wish to sample English life.

Dozens of children from countries including Colombia, Russia, Italy, Turkey and Spain spend time at the school each year while staying at various sites in the area.

But headmistress Susan Vaughey would like to set up two dormitory blocks, allowing the school to take more international students.

Calderdale’s Planning Committee will rule on the proposal at a meeting tomorrow.

Three residents have written to the council opposing the new building, while Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker has backed the proposal.

Mrs Vaughey explained that the school worked with children from different countries.

“We currently have 20 Spanish students and two staff and we’re waiting for some Italians to arrive,” she said.

“They come for a short stay and we offer them academic excellence and the British experience. We promote Yorkshire and we also take them to places like Edinburgh and to London.”

The international students currently stay with families in the area, at the University of Huddersfield or at Bradley Wood Jubilee Centre.

Mrs Vaughey said that the two dormitory blocks would allow young visitors to stay longer.

“It could be the case that they come for a term, or one year, or two years as boarders,” she said.

The dormitory blocks would have space for 22 boarders and would be located to the northeast of the main school building.