A PARENTS’ group has told Kirklees Council: “The fight is on.”
BBG Academy Trust is determined to push on with plans to open a new high school in Birkenshaw – despite Kirklees Council earmarking the site they want to build on for another school development.
BBG has spoken out following the council’s U-turn on plans for the site at the current Birkenshaw Middle School.
In a shock announcement on Tuesday by Warwick Firmin – a senior manager in charge of school organisation at the council – it was revealed that the council now wants to use the land on Bradford Road.
Mr Firmin said after closing the middle school the council now plans to relocate Birkenshaw First School there.
But BBG says the council is taking over the site in an attempt to scupper its plans for a “free” school academy there.
If built, it would be one of 16 Tory “free” schools given approval to open under the control of parents and teachers.
Lesley Surman, for BBG, said: “The trust recognises that the council’s only objective for proposing to move Birkenshaw First School to the middle school site is an attempt to prevent BBG Academy coming in to being.
“We feel it is very sad that the council is prepared to jeopardise the future education of our children because of their party political bias against our school.
“We would like to reassure parents and supporters of BBG that the BBG Academy is on course to be opened in 2013 and our preferred site still remains Birkenshaw Middle School which we are continuing to discuss with both the Department for Education and the council.
“We anticipate that this matter will be resolved by September 2011.”
