Birkdale High School proposals

• Next steps
• Consultation events
• Download full consultation document for Birkdale (PDF)
• A2 map of Earlsheaton (PDF 1.9Mb)
• Message from Councillors Smith and Smithson

The proposal

Support through changes

We are preparing detailed plans to plot the path for pupils, parents and staff so that we can all effectively cope with any proposed changes. Maintaining stability and creating an improvement in the current standards of our children’s education will remain the backbone of everything we do. The developing strong partnership between all the high schools in the Dewsbury area would help to support pupils, families and staff during the proposed changes to all of the schools.

Support for staff

Retaining our skilled teaching and support staff to maintain high standards of teaching and learning is fundamental to our plans. We have been working with staff groups and trade unions to develop a HR framework to support staff transitions that will ensure processes are fair and support individuals in terms of their career ambitions and personal aspirations.

Table 1 - Proposed timeline for the closure of Birkdale High School and the changes in the other Dewsbury 11-16 High Schools

All Birkdale parents and pupils affected by the proposals will be engaged in individual discussions to agree the individual pathway and arrangements for every pupil that will continue to meet their learning needs and fully support their opportunities to achieve their best.

Table 2 - How would the proposed changes affect my child currently attending Birkdale High School ?

• Pupils in all Years 9, 10 and 11 would not be affected by the proposals. They would stay at Birkdale until the end of Year 11 and then transfer to post-16 provision.
• Pupils in Year 8 would be at the end of Year 10 when the school would close. They would remain on the Birkdale site with their GCSE teachers until the end of Year 11 to make sure they would have the best possible preparation for GCSE achievement.
• Pupils in Year 7 would be at the end of Year 9 when the school would close. They would transfer to another Dewsbury High School for their Year 10 to 11, KS4 and GCSE courses, following detailed discussion and consultation with parents to make sure that individual needs and aspirations are addressed. All the Dewsbury schools will be working together to make sure that all pupils have a smooth transition to the new arrangements.

Table 3 - How would the proposed changes affect my child currently at primary school who chooses to go to Birkdale High School?

• Current Year 6 pupils at primary school who have chosen to go to Birkdale in September 2009 would be at Birkdale for two years up to 2011 when the school would close. They would transfer to another Dewsbury High School for their Years 9 to11 following detailed discussion and consultation with parents to make sure that individual needs and aspirations are addressed. All the Dewsbury schools will be working together to make sure that all pupils have a smooth transition to the new arrangements.
• Current Year 5 pupils at primary school who choose to go to Birkdale in September 2010 would be at Birkdale for one year up to 2011 when the school would close. If the proposals are approved it is likely that alternative arrangements would be put in place from the start of Year 7 at another Dewsbury High School, following detailed discussion and consultation with parents to make sure that individual needs and aspirations are addressed. All the Dewsbury schools will be working together to make sure that all pupils have a smooth transition to the new arrangements.
• Current Year 4 pupils and younger at primary school would not be able to express a preference for Birkdale, but would be able to choose other high schools for transfer in September 2011The chart below shows how the proposed changes would affect pupils. Find the current year group for your child and follow the row across to see how your child would be affected over the next few years from this September.