Accommodation expansion plan for Dewsbury special school part of multi-million pound investment

Kirklees Council is ready to invest around £6.5million in developing high-quality school facilities for children and young people.

Cabinet members are being asked to approve the spending, which would add new school places where they are needed most and help pupils to fulfil their potential.

Councillor Carole Pattison, Cabinet member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities, said: “These proposed works will benefit a range of primary, middle and secondary schools, as well as increasing our support for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

“This is an exciting opportunity to enhance the way we support our children and young people, giving them the best start in life and promoting better outcomes across the district.”

The proposals going to Cabinet on June 16 include transforming the former Thornhill Lees Library and Information Centre building into extra accommodation for Ravenshall Special School.

This would meet the increased demand for post-16 SEND support and feature teaching areas, a sensory learning space and facilities to promote vital life skills for vulnerable learners.

Coun Pattison added: “The proposals are a major investment in our local education system, supporting our schools for the benefit of Kirklees children and their families. We would like to thank local schools for working with us very closely in developing these plans.

“Investment in local provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities is sorely needed and the proposal for post-16 provision is important in our overall ambition for excellent local SEND support.

“The report to Cabinet includes a number of schemes relating to schools in South Huddersfield and, collectively, these provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity. They will ensure children and families have a choice of high-quality education and facilities in their local community.

“When the decision was made to close the secondary phase at ACS, our absolute priority was to help children and young people fulfil their potential. We want all children to benefit from excellent standards of care and education, both now and in the future.

“We said we would work with King James’s School to create additional places and we said we would invest in primary facilities at ACS. The proposals in this report deliver on those promises.

“We said that no children leaving ACS would be left without an alternative pathway for continuing their education and we have continued to work with the strong family of schools in the area to offer places which matched parents’ preferences.

“On top of the investment already made at Newsome High School, the proposals for King James’s School and Netherhall Learning Campus will enhance the facilities available for local pupils now and for generations to come.”