Kirklees will get a pot of £10m to cope with growing demand for new school places within the district.

Education Secretary Michael Gove has announced £2.35bn to create more school places nationally. Kirklees Council’s share of this is £10.25m.

The money will cover school expansion until 2017, although details of exactly how it will be spent have not been announced.

It is, however, anticipated that some of it will be used to build a new 210-pupil primary school in the grounds of Royds Hall High School if the scheme gets the expected go-ahead.

There is particular pressure for school places in some areas of Huddersfield, particularly within the HD3 postcode and Dewsbury areas. And with several housing schemes currently being built, the problem will only get worse, so Kirklees is being forced to act quickly.

Over the last 12 years the district’s school population has increased by a massive 20% and the signs are that it will continue to grow.

There are also rumours circulating that extra provision for special needs pupils will be required in the future, with Lydgate School at New Mill currently bursting at the seams. Kirklees Council has not confirmed this.

Clr Cath Harris, Cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Kirklees has been allocated £4.998m for 2015/16 and a further £5.249m for 2016/17 to meet the ‘basic need’ for additional school places in the area.

“There is always immense pressure on the funding we receive for basic need, which means we have to find innovative solutions in order to meet demand.

“The government allocates a budget, but it is based on a formula that doesn’t always reflect the true picture at local level.

“Here in Kirklees the level of funding we receive is making it very difficult, but we constantly monitor population levels and always work with local schools to find the best solutions.

“Population growth is not uniform across the district.

“It is currently occurring in specific areas such as Huddersfield North, Huddersfield South West and Dewsbury West.

“Making sure there are enough good quality places – so that we not only meet basic need but provide good standards of education for children and young people – is of paramount importance.

“It’s only in the last few weeks that Cabinet agreed a £12m programme of works to renew and improve school accommodation in Kirklees, including the addition of new places.

“Projects will continue being developed, particularly in those areas where the demand for places is rising.”