A PARENTS’ group fighting for a new high school in Birkenshaw have vowed to have their say on the controversial plans.
Earlier this year Kirklees Council announced a referendum to let parents decide on a multi-million pound education plan for secondary schools.
Parents in North Kirklees were told that they would be able to have their say on proposals for schools in their area.
The £200m plan included closing 11 schools and building three new ones, including a high school in Birkenshaw.
But in January, the council’s ruling Conservatives were toppled over the controversial school plans.
The new administration then scrapped the plans to let parents have their say.
Parents are now fighting back by holding their own referendum to show their opposition to the council and the strength of support for a secondary school in the Birkenshaw area.
Lisa Holmes, who is organising the referendum, said: “The politicians are refusing parents the right to have their say on the future of our schools and we are not prepared to stand for that.
“There is overwhelming support in Birkenshaw, Birstall, Gomersal and East Bierley for a new school and this parents’ vote will demonstrate this.”
Hundreds of referendum forms are now being distributed and the results will be published in June.
Meanwhile, former council leader Robert Light has slammed the council’s latest consultation on secondary education in North Kirklees as a ‘sham’.
Clr Light branded the consultation incompetent and confusing and said the council had failed to engage parents effectively in the schools shake up.
