The proposals

• school changes recommended to move to the next stage of the legal process; the publication of statutory proposals, and
• schools outlined for further consultation.

Publication of statutory proposals

After considering what you told us we also looked at what’s best for all our schools across North Kirklees. Based on our findings, we recommend the following schools for expansion or closure by publishing statutory proposals. These are part of our overall plans for reorganisation of schools in North Kirklees 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 proposals to increase the size of a school is four weeks. The statutory period for proposals to close a school is six weeks. The increase in size of The Mirfield Free Grammar is linked to the closure of Castle Hall School therefore the representation period will be six weeks.

In addition, although it will not be part of the formal consultation, Councillor Smithson and Councillor 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 before the statutory notices are published.

Further consultation

We listened to what you said during the last consultation and now put forward the following alternative proposals which are subject to re-consultation running for seven weeks from Monday 20th April to Friday 5th June 2009.

Further details of the following proposals for 11 to 16 year olds can be found in the corresponding consultation documents. These are all available online and all parents and carers have been sent the document(s) most relevant to them.

Informal consultation

Batley

Proposals for the future of Batley Girls’ High School – Visual Arts College and Batley Business and Enterprise College have not yet been decided and this is being consulted on an informal basis.

We will continue this informal consultation to develop a detailed proposal for 1350 11 to 16 year olds on the Batley Field Hill site (Batley Business and Enterprise College site) to be followed by a statutory consultation later in the summer term.

A federation with the proposed new school for boys and girls on the Howden Clough site (Batley Girls’High School – Visual Arts College site) is also to be considered.