Community Section

See also

Other websites

Contacts and Maps

Maps and travel information
Maps and Travel | Contact
Home: Community full menu: Education and Learning full menu: Building schools for the future

New co-educational secondary school located at Howden Clough in Batley and a proposal affecting Birkenshaw Middle School

Gillian Donohoe - April 2009
school.organisation@kirklees.gov.uk

The proposal

Open a new co-educational school for 1350 pupils aged 11 to 16 on the Howden Clough site to serve Batley, Birkenshaw and Birstall from 1st September 2013.

It is proposed that the planned admission number for the school would be 270 pupils.This would mean:

  • Running a competition to establish a new co-educational school on the site at Windmill Lane, Howden Clough, Batley.
  • prescribed alterations to close Birkenshaw Middle School from 31 August 2013.
This proposal takes into account the proposed move or closure of Batley Girls’ High School - Visual Arts College which is subject to ongoing informal consultation.

About competitions

A competition must be run for all new and replacement schools according to The Education and Inspections Act 2006. This regulation aims to encourage a wide range of new and existing providers to bring fresh energy,ideas and skills to a more diverse pattern of schools, with distinctive character and ethos,promoting excellence and choice. A competition is expected to last between 10 and 14 months and has six stages:

  • Consultation
  • Publication of first notice
  • Publication of second notice
  • Representations
  • Decision and implementation.

Who could attend?

Priority would be given to pupils who live in the planned admission areas currently served by the following primary schools:

  • Birkenshaw CE(C) First and Nursery School
  • Birstall Primary School
  • Brownhill Infant School
  • Brownhill St. Saviours CE(VA) Junior School
  • Carlinghow Princess Royal J, I & N School
  • East Bierley CE(VC) First School
  • Fieldhead J, I & N School
  • Healey J, I & N School
  • St. Peter’s CE(A) J, I & N School

Extended services and community use

As part of the plans to establish the new school we aim to extend and enhance community use of the school and the sports centre at Howden Clough in order to ensure the appropriate range of services that meet the needs of communities in the local area.

Specialism

We are considering what the specialism of the new school should be. We wish to complement the existing balance of specialisms in neighbouring schools in the north Kirklees area.

Middle school closures

In January 2008 it was decided in principle to change to a two tier system of Primary and Secondary schools in the Whitcliffe Mount pyramid. We have already asked for your views about the proposals to close Middle Schools, however,because of the change in the proposals to establish a new school to serve Batley, Birkenshaw and Birstall we are consulting again about the closure of Birkenshaw Middle School in relation to the revised 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 following shows how the changes may affect your child. The transition pathways do not affect the rights of parents and carers to apply for a place at other 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 new co-educational 11-16 centre for learning at Howden Clough and changes to Birkenshaw Middle School

Table 1 - New co-educational 11-16 centre for learning at Howden Clough
School Year  
3 school years Sept 2009 to July 2012
  • Consultation would be complete and decisions made by Spring 2010
  • Birkenshaw Middle School would admit Year 5 pupils and Year 8 pupils would transfer to Year 9 at Whitcliffe Mount-SBEC as usual each September.
  • The final group of Y5 pupils would be admitted in September 2011
Sept 2012 to July 2013
  • Year 8 pupils would transfer to Year 9 at Whitcliffe Mount-SBEC as usual in September 2012
  • Birkenshaw Middle School WOULD NOT admit Y5 pupils and would contain Years 6,7 and 8 only
  • Construction and remodelling work would start on the Howden Clough site†
  • Birkenshaw Middle School would close on 31st August 2013
Sept 2013 to July 2014
  • On 1st September 2013, the new 11-16 co-educational centre for learning at Howden Clough would open for the Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils from Birkenshaw Middle School**.
  • The new school would also admit additional Year 7 pupils up to the new admission number (PAN) of 270 from the new admission area (PAA), including young people from Birkenshaw, Birstall, Brownhill, Carlinghow, Fieldhead and Healey***.
  • Construction and remodelling work on the Howden Clough site should be completed by summer 2014†.
Sept 2014 to July 2015
  • Up to 270 Year 7 pupils would be admitted, with priority given to pupils from the new admission area (PAA), including young people from Birkenshaw, Birstall, Brownhill, Carlinghow, Fieldhead and Healey***.
  • The new co-educational school would contain Years 7-10.
Sept 2015 onwards
  • Year 7 would admit up to 270 pupils, with priority given to pupils from the new admission area (PAA), including young people from Birkenshaw, Birstall, Brownhill, Carlinghow, Fieldhead and Healey***.
  • The co-educational school would contain 5 year groups aged 11-16

†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 whilst maintaining without compromising standards.

**This does not effect the right of parents and carers to apply for a place at other schools

***Details of the Kirklees admissions arrangements are published in the Guide for Parents

Table 2 - How would the proposed changes affect my child currently attending Birkenshaw Middle School?

The chart below shows how the changes will affect pupils each year as they progress through school. Find the current year group for your child and follow the row across from September 2008.

  • Pupils in all Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 would not be affected by the proposals. They would follow the existing pattern and progress through the Middle School and then transfer to Whitcliffe Mount - SBEC at the start of Year 9.
  • In addition, we propose to strengthen existing partnerships between middle and secondary schools to ensure a smooth transition for all pupils
Table 2 - How would the proposed changes affect my child ?
Current Pupils at Birkenshaw Middle School School year beginning
Sep 2008 Sep 2009 Sep 2010 Sep 2011 Sept 2012 Sept 2013 Sept 2014 Sept 2015 Sept 2016

Current Year 8 Transfer to Year 9 Whitcliffe Mount – SBEC in Sep 2009

Middle School Whitcliffe Mount-SBEC Choices for 16 to 19 year olds See note below*      
Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16      

Current Year 7 Transfer to Year 9 Whitcliffe Mount – SBEC in Sept 2010

Middle School Whitcliffe Mount-SBEC Choices for 16 to 19 year olds See note below*    
Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16

Current Year 6 Transfer to Year 9 Whitcliffe Mount – SBEC in Sep 2011

Middle school Whitcliffe Mount-SBEC Choices for 16 to 19 year olds See note below*  
Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16


Current Year 5 Transfer to Year 9 Whitcliffe Mount – SBEC in Sep 2012

Middle School Whitcliffe Mount-SBEC Choices for 16 to 19 year olds See note below*
Year 5 age 10 Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16

*We are working on plans to establish a new 6th form college in Dewsbury to serve all 16-19 year olds in North Kirklees. This would replace the current 6th form provision at Whitcliffe Mount – Specialist Business & Enterprise College (VC). Detailed plans will be published for consultation in the Autumn Term 2009.

Table 3 below outlines the timeline for the general changes for pupils currently attending Birkenshaw CE (C)First and Nursery and East Bierley CE (VC) First Schools. Further consultation about the proposed pattern of primary schools in the Whitcliffe pyramid will take place later in the summer term.
Table 3 - Proposed timeline for changes to First Schools in the Birkenshaw area
School Year  
3 years Sept 2009 to July 2012
  • Consultation should be completed and decisions made by Spring 2010
  • Year 5 pupils would continue to transfer to Middle School as usual each September. The last transfer to Middle school would be in September 2011
Sept 2013 to July 2014
  • Year 5 and 6 pupils would stay in First schools.
  • First Schools would now be 5-11 Primary Schools
Sept 2012 to July 2013
  • Middle schools would be closed from 31st August 2012.
  • Years 7 and 8 pupils from Gomersal CE(C), West End and Whitechapel Middle Schools would be transferred to Whitcliffe Mount - SBEC, based in the buildings of the former West End Middle School.
Sept 2014 onwards
  • Year 6 pupils would transfer to Year 7 at the new co-educational 11-16 school at Howden Clough in September 2014**.
  • The pattern of a single transfer at age 11 would be established

** This does not effect the right of parents and carers to apply for a place at other schools

Table 4 - How would the proposed changes affect my child currently attending Birkenshaw CE(C) First & Nursery or East Bierley CE(VC) First School?

Further consultation about the proposed pattern of primary schools in the Birkenshaw area will take place in the late summer term.

The chart below shows how the changes would affect pupils each year as they progress through school.

Find the current year group for your child and follow the row across from September 2008

  • Current Year 4 pupils would transfer to Birkenshaw Middle School at the end of Year 4. They would progress through Middle School and transfer to Year 9 in the New co-educational school at Howden Clough in September 2013.
  • Pupils in Year 3 would transfer to Birkenshaw Middle School at the end of Year 4. They would progress through years 5, 6 and 7 at Birkenshaw Middle School. The school would close in July 2013 and the pupils would then transfer to Year 8 in the new co-educational school at Howden Clough.
  • Pupils in Year 2 would transfer to Birkenshaw Middle School at the end of Year 4. They would progress through years 5 and 6 at Birkenshaw Middle School. The school would close in July 2013 and the pupils would then transfer to Year 7 in the new co-educational school at Howden Clough.
  • Pupils in Year 1 and younger pupils would follow the new pattern. They would progress through to the end of Year 6 in a 5-11 Primary School and then transfer To Year 7 at the new 11-16 co-educational school at Howden Clough.
  • In addition, we propose to strengthen existing partnerships between middle and secondary schools to ensure a smooth transition for all pupils.
Table 4 - How would the proposed changes affect my child?
Current pupils at First schools in the Birkenshaw area School year beginning
Sept 2008 Sept 2009 Sept 2010 Sept 2011 Sept 2012 Sept 2013 Sept 2014 Sept 2015 Sept 2016 Sept 2017
Current Year 4
  • Transfer to Middle School in Sep 2009.
  • Transfer to Y9 at Howden Cough in Sep 2013
First School Birkenshaw Middle School New Co-ed School at Howden Clough Choices for 16 to 19 year olds See note below*
Year 4 age 9 Year 5 age 10 Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16
Current Year 3
  • Transfer to Middle School in Sep 2010.
  • Transfer to Y8 at Howden Clough in Sep 2013
First School Birkenshaw Middle School New Co-ed School at Howden Clough Choices for 16 to 19 year olds See note below*
Year 3 age 8 Year 4 age 9 Year 5 age 10 Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16
Current Year 2
  • Transfer to Middle School in Sep 2011.
  • Transfer to Y7 at Howden Clough in Sep 2013
 First School Birkenshaw Middle School New Co-ed School at Howden Clough
Year 2 age 7 Year 3 age 8 Year 4 age 9 Year 5 age 10 Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16

Current Year 1

  • Stay at Primary School to end of Year 6.
  • Transfer to Year 7 at Howden Clough
 First School becomes all-through Primary School New Co-ed School at Howden Clough
Year 1 age 6 Year 2 age 7 Year 3 age 8 Year 4 age 9 Year 5 age 10 Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15

*We are working on plans to establish a new 6th form college in Dewsbury to serve all 16-19 year olds in North Kirklees. This would replace the current 6th form provision at Whitcliffe Mount – Specialist Business & Enterprise College (VC). Detailed plans will be published for consultation in the Autumn Term 2009.

Table 5 - Proposed timeline for changes that affect the secondary school choices of pupils at Primary Schools in Batley and Birstall

The Priority Admission Areas (PAAs) served by the primary schools in the north Batley and Birstall area, listed below, fall within the existing secondary Priority Admission Area for Batley Girls’ High School and Batley Business and Enterprise College (BBEC).

  • Birstall Primary School
  • Brownhill Infant School
  • Brownhill St Saviours CE(VA) Junior School
  • Carlinghow Junior, Infant and Nursery School
  • Fieldhead Junior, Infant and Nursery School
  • Healey Junior, Infant and Nursery School
  • St Peter’s CE(A) Junior, Infant and Nursery School

It is proposed that these schools would be included in the Priority Admission Area of the new 11-16 co-educational school at Howden Clough that would be established on the 1st September 2013.

It is intended that detailed proposals for provision for boys and girls in the central Batley area will be published for consultation later in the summer term.

This table outlines the timeline for the proposed changes of PAA for pupils resident in the current PAAs served by Birstall Primary School, Brownhill Infant School and Brownhill St Saviours CE(VA) Junior School, Carlinghow J,I & N School, Fieldhead J,I and N School, Healey JI&N School, St Peter’s CE(A) Junior, Infant and Nursery School

Table 5 - Proposed Change to Secondary PAA for North Batley and Birstall Primary Schools
School Year  
4 years Sept 2009 to July 2013
  • Consultation should be completed and decisions made by Spring 2010
  • Year 6 pupils would continue to be offered places and have priority for transfer to Year 7 at Batley Girls’ High School and Batley Business and Enterprise College (BBEC).
Sept 2013 onwards
  • Year 6 pupils would be offered places and have priority for transfer to Year 7 at the new co-educational 11-16 school at Howden Clough in September 2013**.
**This does not effect the right of parents and carers to apply for a place at other schools

Table 6 - How would the proposed changes affect the secondary school choices of pupils at Primary Schools in Batley and Birstall?

The chart below shows how the changes of Priority Admission Area would affect the secondary school choices available to 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.

  • The primary schools in the north Batley and Birstall area [Birstall Primary School, Brownhill Infant School and Brownhill St Saviours CE(VA) Junior School, Carlinghow Junior, Infant and Nursery School, Fieldhead Junior, Infant and Nursery School, Healey Junior and Infant School, St Peter’s CE(A) Junior, Infant and Nursery School fall within the existing secondary Priority Admission Area for Batley Girls’ High School and Batley Business and Enterprise College (BBEC).
  • It is proposed that these schools would be included in the Priority Admission Area of the new 11-16 co-educational school that would be established on the 1st September 2013.
  • It is intended that detailed proposals for provision for boys and girls in the central Batley area will be published for consultation later in the summer term
  • Current Year 3-6 pupils would continue to be offered places at Batley Girls’ and Batley BEC schools
  • Current Year 2 and younger pupils would be able to apply for a place at the new co-educational 11-16 school at Howden Clough
Table 6 - How would the proposed changes affect the secondary school choices for Primary School pupils in the Batley and Birstall areas?
Current pupils School year beginning
Sept 2008 Sept 2009 Sept 2010 Sept 2011 Sept 2012 Sept 2013 Sept 2014 Sept 2015 Sept 2016 Sept 2017

Current Year 6 :

  • In PAA for Batley Girls’ or BBEC
Primary School Batley Girls’ or Batley BEC Choices for 16 to 19 year olds    
Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16
Current Year 5
  • In PAA for Batley Girls’ or BBEC
Primary School Batley Girls’ or Batley BEC Choices for 16 to 19 year olds  
Year 5 age 10 Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16
Current Year 4
  • In PAA for Batley Girls’ or BBEC
 Primary School Batley Girls’ or Batley BEC Choices for 16 to 19 year olds
Year 4 age 9 Year 5 age 10 Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16

Current Year 3

  • In PAA for Batley Girls’ or BBEC
Primary School Batley Girls’ or Batley BEC Choices as above
Year 3 age 8 Year 4 age 9 Year 5 age 10 Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16

Current Year 2

  • In PAA for new co-educational school at Howden Clough
Primary School Batley Girls’ or Batley BEC
Year2 age 7 Year 3 age 8 Year 4 age 9 Year 5 age 10 Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15 Year 11 age 16

Current Year 1 and younger

  • In PAA for new co-educational school at Howden Clough
Primary School Batley Girls’ or Batley BEC
Year 1 age 6 Year2 age 7 Year 3 age 8 Year 4 age 9 Year 5 age 10 Year 6 age 11 Year 7 age 12 Year 8 age 13 Year 9 age 14 Year 10 age 15

 

A to Z of the website