School to be transformed
WHITCLIFFE Mount is be transformed into a brand new state of the art school for Cleckheaton.
Outline plans, which involve refurbishing, remodelling and extending the school in Turnsteads Avenue, as part of the 200m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project, were approved by councillors on the Heavy Woollen sub-comittee on Thursday.
It's hoped that pupils will benefit from a new science block, drama and music centre, bigger tennis and netball courts and the school will have new and remodelled access for vehicles, more car parking and landscaped grounds.
It means three sections of the school would be demolished, including part of the original school block which dates back to 1909, and the three-storey science block.
Speaking at the meeting, Coun Andrew Pinnock said: "I welcome this application because it's one of the first fruits of BSF and shows the intention of the authority to improve the high schools in north Kirklees."
Councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of the proposals, at Dewsbury Town Hall.
Deputy headteacher Peter Roberts, who is overseeing the initiative, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils and those to come for the next 20 years.
"The BSF programme is all about building centres of education which are fit for children of the 21st century and this will be a first class centre.
"Every part of the school will be improved in some way, either by refurbishment, remodelling, or it will be totally rebuilt."
Under BSF a new sixth form college will be built in North Kirklees meaning Whitcliffe Mount would lose its post-16 provision.
However falling rolls has meant that the school is currently consulting on whether to close it earlier than originally planned. If it gets the go ahead, there will be no new intake of six-formers this September.
But Mr Roberts added: "The school will stay the same size as we will be taking children from years seven and eight, so we will have a total of 1,350 pupils, meaning there will be five year groups of 270 pupils each - which is a nice size for a year group."
He said that if outline planning permission was passed, it would be at least a year until a contractor was approved and they would make their own designs.
He added: "This is such a good opportunity for everyone here and we are looking forward to the changes and the benefits they will give the pupils and the wider community, as they will be able to use the facilities at weekends and in school holidays."
Under the plans, the school will also have a new administration hub and a new bus drop off area where buses will turn in a paved plaza area will be formed with access off West End.
A spokesman for West Yorkshire police said they would only be happy to support the application if the school meets 'secured by design' standards.
Highways officers are supporting the proposal provided the junction, paths and crossings at the junction of Whitechapel Road and Turnsteads Avenue and Whitcliffe Road are improved.
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
