A major shake-up of Huddersfield’s special schools is on the cards.
Two of the town’s schools catering for children with special needs- Lydgate and Longley - could be in for some major changes.
Lydgate School is currently housed in cramped conditions at Kirkroyds Lane, New Mill, but could be moved to Almondbury if a “super school” merger goes ahead.
Further rumours have been circulating about Longley School, with some parents claiming that a consultation is in the pipeline.
Until this week, Kirklees Council has refused to directly answer the Examiner’s questions on the matter but has now issued a statement in response to further Examiner questions and admitted that discussions are indeed taking place.
A spokesman said: “There have been ongoing discussions for a number of years about possible changes to Kirklees special schools.Some of those changes have already taken place in other parts of the district and we are now having further discussions with both Longley and Lydgate schools.
“The council is developing proposals that are designed to ensure provision meets the needs of children, young people and their families and achieves this with the highest possible standards, now and in the future.
“The proposals are very much in the early stages, but they will involve developing provision for children with complex needs and for those with autism spectrum condition.
“In the case of Lydgate, the proposals are likely to include a possible relocation of the school to a new site, if circumstances allowed and if an appropriate site became available.
“No decisions have been made and any proposals would be subject to a full consultation, which would be open to everyone. We are working closely with the schools and our shared aim is to ensure that special school provision addresses local needs, meets local demand and does so to the highest of standards.he proposals are about the care and education of local children and we are hoping to publish details within the next few weeks.”
Lydgate School currently has 75 pupils with communication, sensory and physical disabilities, behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, severe learning difficulties and moderate learning difficulties.
It is highly thought of by parents and was judged to be Good with Outstanding features at its last Ofsted report of October 2011.
One of the rumours is if the Almondbury merger goes ahead -which looks likely - Lydgate would move into the site vacated by the Junior School in Southfield Road, which has a capacity for 380 children. This could mean that there would also be space for Longley’s 140 pupils.Longley School caters for autistic children, with moderate or severe learning difficulties, and behaviour, emotional and social difficulties. It was rated as “Requires Improvement” by Ofsted last October.
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