Message from Councillor Cath Harris and Councillor Ken Smith about the proposals

 

We have taken extra time to reach a firm set of proposals for the Cleckheaton primary schools to make sure that we have taken into account all the detailed background information, all the possible options and the views that have been expressed in previous consultations. We have continued to listen to as many key stakeholders as possible.

It has not been easy to reach a conclusion because the various options all have strengths and weaknesses as well as strongly held views in support or against them.

As we explained in the last consultation that took place in June 2009, there is a need to provide 4 classes of entry into schools serving central Cleckheaton. The new building at Howard Park has only been in use since January 2009 and this will be easily adapted to a 1-class entry primary school with nursery provision. This means that we need to plan for schools that provide a further 3 classes of entry in total. Following feedback received during the last consultation we wanted to take the necessary time to revisit all available sites and look at the best possible way to take forward future provision.

During this period we have had extensive tours round the key sites with head teachers, governors, ward members and officers have examined detailed background information about current and future pupil numbers, where pupils live and which first schools they go to. We have looked at local maps, building plans and possible future designs and we have considered building costs and future running costs.

We have tried to find a solution that will have the most support, which we should all be able to work together to implement, once decisions are made. The most important consideration has been the need to deliver a long term solution that will deliver the best possible arrangements for primary education in Cleckheaton for several generations to come balanced with maintaining continuity of the excellent provision that is currently enjoyed by families in the area.

Our plans have always included making use of the sites of West End and Whitechapel Middle Schools because they offer more space and more modern buildings to provide the best environment to develop 21st century primary education for the future.

We are proposing to develop a 2-class entry, 5-11 primary school for 420 pupils on the Whitechapel Middle School site on Whitechapel Road by "bringing together" Moorend CE(C) First School and St.Lukes CE(VC) First School. Families would gain the advantages of having a single school which will build on the strengths of the two existing schools. The most equitable statutory route to achieve this outcome, would be to close both Moorend CE(C) First School and St.Lukes CE(VC) First School and to establish a new school. To do this we have to go through a legal process of closing the two existing schools and immediately opening a single new school in their place, initially using both of the existing school sites but ultimately moving to the Whitechapel Road site in 2014. As they are both Church of England Voluntary Controlled Schools, the Wakefield Diocesan Board of Education has been closely involved in the discussions and fully supports the proposal.

We have taken time to fully investigate all opportunities before bringing suggestions for the pattern of schools in the Cleckheaton area and are confident that these proposals will best meet local needs.