A TIME of change has come to Highfields School.
Boxes are being packed and goodbyes said in preparation for an emotional move to a new £5m building.
After more than 30 years at its Cemetery Road, Edgerton, site, its 66 pupils and many staff are moving to Castle Hill School at Newsome in September.
The state-of-the-art school for children with severe learning and physical disabilities will replace Highfields and Turnshaws School, Kirkburton.
"It is awful that everything has got to come to an end, but the facilities at the new school are marvellous," said Andrea West, who works in the school office at Highfields.
Her 18-year-old son, Laurie, has been a pupil there since he was five.
Andrea says: "Laurie has cerebral palsy and the wheelchair-friendly corridors, hydrotherapy pool, storage and space in the new environment will be exceptional."
Head teacher Sue Williams came to the school in September, 2004, theoretically to close it down and arrange the move to the new building in September last year.
But work was delayed for 12 months when Kirklees Council had to renegotiate the deal after contractor Jarvis hit cash problems.
The new contractor, Wates Construction, started work on the site off Newsome Road South last June.
Castle Hill is one of four new special schools being built in Kirklees in a £25m Public Private Partnership programme.
Sue said: "We have tried to keep a balance between maintaining the current school and moving forward.
"We are looking forwards to everything the new school has to offer. It will also give our staff the opportunity to work with those from Turnshaws in ways in which they are restricted from now.
"The children have taken it all in their stride. They will also cope with the move very well."
It has, of course, been a more uncertain time for staff at both schools. Many have worked at Highfields or Turnshaws for many years and some are unsure of their future.
Staffing for Castle Hill School, which will have space for 108 children aged between three and 19, is being looked at.
Sue said: "Many of the staff have made a long-serving commitment to Highfields. They have been an excellent group of staff to work with. They have maintained a positive attitude throughout the uncertainty."
Parental and staff concerns are being addressed with project aimed at `twinning' the two schools through music and the arts and social events.
After Easter a Celebrations Timeline will take effect at the school, with theatre workshops, group photos, a mela and disco, a garden party and balloon release on the last day of term in July.
Time capsules will be buried in the grounds of Castle Hill School and children will receive a medal to mark the closure of Highfields.
