Options for primary schools in the Whitcliffe Mount Pyramid - Birkenshaw and East Bierley

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• Consultation events
• Online consultation form
• Download full consultation document (126Kb PDF)
• Message from Councillors Smith and Smithson

2008 Consultation

Kirklees Cabinet has carefully considered the outcomes of the 'Brighter futures' consultation held in 2008.

Here are the key messages about the reorganisation of the Whitcliffe pyramid from 3-tier to 2-tier that we've taken into account:

• Most responses welcomed the change although there was some regret at the passing of the middle schools. Staff and governors positively sought to implement change.
• Most of the concerns were about transitional arrangements and the possible impact on particular age cohorts with a desire to reduce the number of moves between schools.

The proposal

Publication of statutory proposals

After considering what you told us we also looked at what’s best for all our primary schools across the Whitcliffe Mount Pyramid.
Based on our findings, we recommend the following schools for expansion and changing their age range by publishing statutory proposals.

These are part of our overall plans for reorganisation of primary schools in the Whitcliffe Mount Area, and as they were consulted on last year they do not require any further formal consultation.

About statutory proposals and notices

This is a legal process and its format is prescribed by law. When proposals are published, a statutory notice containing certain aspects of the complete proposal will be published in the local press, displayed at the main entrances of the schools and in selected locations in the community including libraries and community centres.
From the date of publication, there follows a statutory period during which representations e.g. objections and comments can be made. This is the final opportunity for individuals and organisations to express their views about the proposals and ensure that they will be considered by the Local Authority.

The statutory period for these proposals is six weeks. In addition Cllr Smithson and Cllr Smith are very keen to meet with people. They are open to talk frankly about the rationale and plans to plot the path for staff and students, so that we can all properly and effectively cope with the proposed changes.

Options for Further consultation

We listened to what you said during the last consultation and are now proposing a range of options for the first schools in three areas:

• Birkenshaw and East Bierely
• Cleckheaton
• Hightown

to seek the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, governors and the wider community before determining the recommended way forward.

We are asking for views in a consultation running for four weeks from Monday 8th June to Friday 3rd July 2009. Further details can be found in the corresponding consultation documents. All parents and carers have been sent the document(s) most relevant to them.

Options for Primary SchoolProvision in Birkenshaw and East Bierley

The revised consultation proposal to use the Howden Clough site for a new secondary school means that the Birkenshaw Middle School site could be available for other educational use as a primary school.

Proposed Provision

• We are proposing to establish all-through primary schools for pupils aged 5-11 years.
• We need the capacity for up to 3 classes of 30 pupils per year and we are proposing to provide this in a 2-class entry school and a 1-class entry school.

There are 3 existing educational sites and buildings that could be used for all-through, 5-11 primary schools in the Birkenshaw-East Bierley area:

Birkenshaw CE(C) First and Nursery School

• There are 2 buildings on the site that can be remodelled and updated to provide a good quality primary school.
• The existing buildings could be adapted to provide either a 2-class entry or a 1-class entry all through primary school.

Birkenshaw Middle School

• This site would provide a very good space for a primary school.
• The existing buildings are assessed as being unfit for future use as a primary school and would be demolished and be replaced by a new purpose built primary school.
• A new build, state of the art school would be a good investment for the future. (The new Howard Park School in Cleckheaton is an example of such a building).

East Bierley CE(VC) First School

• This is a already a small site surrounded by common land but there may be a possibility of acquiring additional adjacent land.
• The internal spaces are constrained for the existing 150-place school. They can be remodelled and refurbished but would be less than satisfactory for a 210 place 21st century primary school.

Options for 5-11 Primary School Provision in the Birkenshaw – East Bierley Area

In this consultation we are asking for your views about the best location and size of the future primary schools serving Birkenshaw and East Bierley. Further details about the three options are set out below.

When the preferred option has been agreed we will publish a further document for statutory consultation which will include details of the timing of the proposed construction works and the pupil transition plans.

Option 1: Enlarge both existing first schools to create all-through primary schools

• 1 class entry, 5-11 CE(VC) primary school at East Bierley. Admission number of 30 pupils per year. 210 pupils in total.
• 2-class entry, 5-11 CE(C) primary school at Birkenshaw First with Nursery. Admission number of 60 pupils per year. 420 pupils in total plus nursery.
  

Map 1 shows the location of the proposed schools and the existing Priority Admission Areas (pdf 756Kb)

Advantage

• This arrangement enlarges the two existing schools to create 5-11 all-through schools

Disadvantages

• East Bierley is a small site with small classrooms and limited internal and external spaces. These spaces would be even more restricted if the building were to be enlarged from 150 places to 210 places.
• East Bierley provision would not represent a good value for money investment
• Both primary schools are located at the northern end of the Birkenshaw-East Bierley area

Indicative Timeline

• Year 5 pupils would be retained in the first schools from September 2011 and they would remain until the end of Year 6 in 2013.

Outline of Construction Works†

• East Bierley CE(VC) First School pupils would need to be temporarily housed in alternative accommodation for approximately 1 year to allow major construction work to safely take place. Pupils would need to be accommodated in a temporary school located on a suitable site.
• Birkenshaw CE(C) First & Nursery School has two separate buildings. They would be refurbished and enlarged one after the other. Temporary classrooms on site would house pupils whilst building work is taking place.
  
  

†The timetable for the building programme is indicative. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere as closely as possible to these time frames -as detailed planning and programming is carried out some changes to timing may be necessary. We are committed to ensuring a safe and well planned transition without compromising standards.

Option 2: Enlarge Birkenshaw First building to an all-through primary school. Develop a new primary building on the Birkenshaw Middle site. East Bierley building closed.

• 2-class entry, 5-11 CE(C) primary school with nursery on the Birkenshaw CE(C) First and Nursery School site. Admission number of 60 pupils per year. 420 pupils in total plus nursery.
• 1 class entry, 5-11 CE(VC) primary school on the Birkenshaw Middle School site. Admission number of 30 pupils per year. 210 pupils in total.

Advantages

• This arrangement better matches the school sizes and locations to the distribution of pupils in the Birkenshaw-East Bierley area, with 5-11 primary schools serving the northern and southern parts of the area
• A new building of modern standards would give excellent fit for purpose facilities This would represent very good value for money and provide a good investment for the future
• The new school on the Birkenshaw Middle School site would have the potential to be further developed
  and extended should that ever become necessary

Disadvantages

• East Bierley would no longer have a school located in the village

Potential changes to PAAs

• This option would necessitate changes to the current PAAs serving both schools
• The migration of pupils to the replacement sites and the change to Admission Areas would be agreed through Further consultation with schools and parents

Timeline

• Year 5 pupils would be retained in the first schools from September 2011 and they would remain until the end of Year 6 in 2013

Outline of Construction Works†

The new school building on the Birkenshaw Middle site would be constructed first

• Some pupils from Birkenshaw CE(C) First & Nursery School could then be re-located to the new building to allow refurbishment and enlargement of the Birkenshaw First buildings or housed in temporary classrooms on their current site
• Pupils would move from the East Bierley CE(VC) First School site when work at the other sites was complete

†The timetable for the building programme is indicative. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere as closely as
possible to these time frames -as detailed planning and programming is carried out some changes to timing may be
necessary. We are committed to ensuring a safe and well planned transition without compromising standards.

Option 3: Develop Birkenshaw First building as a 1-class entry Primary School. Build a 2-class entry primary on the Birkenshaw Middle site. East Bierley building closed.

• 1-class entry, 5-11 CE(C) primary school with nursery on the Birkenshaw CE(C) First School site. Admission number of 30 pupils per year. 210 pupils plus nursery.
• 2-class entry, 5-11 CE(VC) primary school on the Birkenshaw Middle School site. Admission number of 60 pupils per year. 420 pupils in total.
  
  

Map 3 shows the location of the proposed schools and the indicative Priority Admission Areas (pdf 765Kb)

Advantages

• This arrangement better matches the school sizes and locations to the distribution of pupils in the Birkenshaw-East Bierley area, with 5-11 primary schools serving the northern and southern parts of the area
• The majority of pupils would be in a brand new building with excellent fit for purpose facilities
• This would represent very good value for money and provide a good investment for the future
• The new school on the Birkenshaw Middle School site would have the potential to be further developed and extended should that ever become necessary

Disadvantages

• East Bierley would no longer have a school located in the village

Potential changes to PAAs

• This option would necessitate changes to the current PAAs serving both schools
• The migration of pupils to the replacement sites and the change to Admission Areas would be agreed through Further consultation with schools and parents

Timeline

• Year 5 pupils would be retained in the first schools from September 2011 and they would remain until the end of Year 6 in 2013

Outline of Construction Works†

• The new school building on the Birkenshaw Middle site would be constructed first
• Pupils from Birkenshaw CE(C) First & Nursery School could then be re-located to the new building to allow refurbishment of the Birkenshaw First buildings
• Pupils would move from the East Bierley CE(VC) First School site when work at the other sites was complete

†The timetable for the building programme is indicative. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere as closely as
possible to these time frames -as detailed planning and programming is carried out some changes to timing may be
necessary. We are committed to ensuring a safe and well planned transition without compromising standards.

Support through changes

We are preparing detailed plans to plot the pathway for pupils, parents and staff so that we can all effectively manage 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.

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