Plans for a super school in Almondbury are a step closer.

Senior Kirklees councillors gave approval to develop plans for all-through schooling for Almondbury High, Almondbury Juniors and Greenside Infant and Nursery School.

It came after four head teachers of Almondbury’s schools were united in their support for the plans.

And they were also united in resolving any difficulties and addressing parental concerns.

Kirklees Council will now start the statutory process, which includes a six-week representation period before a final decision will be made by Cabinet members.

Yesterday members told ward councillors it would cost “many millions” to get out of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) if Almondbury High School became unviable.

Ward councillors Linda Wilkinson and Phil Scott asked about the cost impact if the school numbers dwindle.

Clr Cath Harris said: “For Almondbury High School, and any other PFI school, if the council wishes to exit the PFI contract a settlement would be subject to negotiation, the council would have to put a prudential amount aside and that is likely to be many millions. It will not be cheap.”

The Lib Dem ward members were told that assets, such as land or buildings, would be subject to re-use or redevelopment but any caveats attached to education will apply.

It was also revealed that any threat to the high school could put the lottery-funded sports facilities at risk of “clawback”.

But Clr Harris said the school remained a viable option and future projections for Key Stage 2 showed an increased intake of 20 per cent.

David Lowe, chair of governors at the high school, said: “We recognise that an all-through school would be something new and different, and with anything such as this, it is only right that people have a chance to express their honest views.

“By working through these together, we wish to reassure parents, children and local residents, and seek thoughts about how we could work together to tackle some of the challenges.”

Council papers have put a positive spin on the public response but the results of the survey tell a different story with 86 per cent opposed or strongly opposed to the plans for an all-through super school in Almondbury.

Clr Peter O’Neill, joint Cabinet member for education, said there were “no viable alternative options”.

And Clr Cath Harris, his Cabinet colleague, said: “The big factor is the enthusiasm and commitment from all parts of the school community that will make the merger a success”.

She moved approval through to the next stage.