By Leah Conway –
Kirklees Council has announced a £4.5million investment into new facilities for local schools. The Cabinet recently agreed on the plans, which will help improve schools across the borough.
What schools will benefit?
The most significant change supported by the investment will be at Manor Croft Academy in Dewsbury. The investment will help an expansion, which will allow the school to increase its pupil numbers by 30 per year group.
Other works approved will take place at the following schools:
- North Huddersfield Trust School
- Thornhill Community Academy
- Westborough High School
- Headlands CE (VC) J I and N School
- Reinwood Infant and Nursery
- Reinwood Juniors.
The investment intends to help schools support higher pupil numbers, improve long-term facilities and to support pupils across Kirklees in general.
“Helping our children to thrive”
Cllr Carole Pattison, Cabinet member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities, said: “I’m delighted the proposals have been passed by Cabinet so that we can start the process of turning them into reality.
“This is another key step in helping our children to thrive and fulfil their potential in a high-quality school environment.
“I’d like to thank all the local schools who have worked with us to accommodate more pupils whilst retaining a firm focus on doing what’s best for the children, young people and families of Kirklees.
“This is an investment in children both now and in the future. We’re supporting pupils to achieve better outcomes and, thanks to improved facilities, we are helping schools staff to continue inspiring generations to come.”
Read more: Potential £1m investment for Kirklees Youth Services
“Highly ambitious”
“Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has brought immense challenges, the council remains highly ambitious to keep moving forward with investment in schools.
“The spending agreed by Cabinet is for a range of different projects, all of which will make an important difference in enhancing facilities.
“New-build accommodation will be created with energy efficient materials and equipment, which also allows us to cut our carbon footprint.
“Many younger age groups will benefit from these changes, all the way from nursery through to secondary school. We want the very best for all of our children and young people.”
Extra classrooms, extra pupils and new facilities
Other improvements include six new classrooms, an extended dining room space and a larger car park for Manor Croft Academy. It would cost an estimated £3.2million. £500,000 of that has been funded by Delta Academies Trust, while the remaining £2.7million has been agreed by Kirklees cabinet.
Additionally, Thornhill Community Academy will get a £600,000 investment into improving their dining facilities. The improvements will help support their growing school community as they have been taking on the demand for extra pupils over the last three years.
North Huddersfield Trust School will use £250,000 to add extra toilet facilities, while Westborough High School will expand their outdoor dining areas with £100,000.
At Headlands CE (VC) J I and N will use £650,000 to help replace a modular building with a new, permanent block. This will help the school keep its nursery provision.
Finally, the shared site, Reinwood Infant and Nursery and Reinwood Juniors, will use £215,000 to fund remodelling needed as their pupil numbers start to return to normal levels.
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