Kirklees Council is putting
forward exciting new proposals for special school provision in the district.
The plans would involve a
massive investment of £36million by rebuilding two schools – Joseph Norton
Academy and Woodley School and College – which both cater for pupils with
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
It is a major council priority for
children and young people to have the best start in life and for vulnerable
learners to attend good-quality, local schools.
This helps children with SEND
to achieve good outcomes and fulfil their potential, enhancing their life
chances.
If Cabinet members give
permission on Tuesday October 5th, the council will start the
process of conducting site surveys and drawing up designs for state-of-the-art
facilities.
Both schools have been heavily
involved in the proposals and Kirklees Council will ensure children and
families are given an influential voice in shaping their future.
Under the plans going to
Cabinet, Joseph Norton Academy would relocate to a site in Deighton,
Huddersfield, while Woodley School and College would relocate to a site in
Almondbury. Both would increase their pupil numbers.
Cllr Carole Pattison, Cabinet
member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities, said: “Our vision to build two
new schools is incredibly ambitious and shows our commitment to families,
especially those who are vulnerable. Improving the lives of our children and
young people, both now and in the future, is at the heart of our proposals
“Woodley and Joseph Norton
provide high standards of care and education and we would like to thank staff
and families for providing this support. Equally, the facilities at both
schools need to be upgraded significantly and their current sites don’t allow
for this to happen.
“There is a growing demand for
special school places in Kirklees and we must ensure this demand can be met in
the future. Relocating these two schools, and providing brand-new facilities at
a cost of £36million, would provide a wonderful opportunity.
“The proposed sites have been
carefully considered – amongst many other things, we have looked at access, the
potential for growth, highways issues and the scope to provide important
outdoor learning. Pupils at the schools come from wide areas, so geographical
location was also key.
“Ultimately, the new sites had
to provide everything that is needed for children and young people with SEND.
The schools have supported this process from the beginning and we all want to
do the right thing for our children and families over many years to come.”
Joseph Norton Academy
The school, which is currently
based in Scissett on the edge of Kirklees, caters for pupils with Social,
Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH). It would benefit from having
more modern facilities, but rebuilding on the current site would be very
difficult due to the impact on education.
Following a detailed study, the
Deighton site was identified as a strong location for a new school as it is
central, well suited to a special school and has scope to meet the demand for
places. The site is in Deighton Road and used to be the home of Deighton High
School and the Deighton Centre.
The proposed new building would
offer places for up to 132 pupils with SEMH (aged 5 to 16 and with the option
of exploring post-16 places).
Woodley School and
College
The school, which is currently
based in Longley, caters for pupils with Communication and Interaction/Autism
Needs. There are many constraints on the site due to its size, location and the
nature of the buildings.
A site in Fernside Avenue,
Almondbury, was identified as a strong location because it holds the potential
to offer a stimulating, safe and calming environment and meet a broad range of
disabled children’s needs.
It is currently being used as
an extra site for King James’s School but is expected to be vacant in 2022. The
proposal is to demolish the existing buildings, with the possible exception of
the swimming pool and sports hall, and build a new school for Woodley with up
to 179 places for pupils (aged 5 to 18) with Communication and
Interaction/Autism Needs.
