Campaigns
29/06/2009
Primary Schools for the Future - Cleckheaton
Batley and Spen MP Mike Wood is campaigning to keep all four schools in Cleckheaton open as Kirklees Council consults on options for primary school re-organisation in the town.
Mike Wood said: "Having assessed the council's proposals, spoken with key people in some of the schools, looked at the detailed pupil forecasts and spoken with Kirklees education department officers I have a number of initial observations.
- The options presented are lacking in detail
- There are insufficient options presented for consultation
- The pupil forecast figures are unreliable and do not reflect any joined up relationship with housebuilding targets across Kirklees or increasing birth rates
- The financial implications/costings are described by Kirklees as ‘loose'
- Kirklees is resistant to anything other than whole class entry arrangements
- Not enough regard has been paid whatsoever to existing identity or the principles of safeguarding and enhancing sustainable communities
- In fact, the process is seen to be fermenting community discord.
"It is my view that neither Heaton Avenue nor St Luke's should close and that there is a way to keep both schools open.
"The issue about whether Heaton Avenue or St Luke's should be closed is divisive and unsatisfactory.
"Moving Heaton Avenue to the West End site and St Luke's to the Hartshead Moor site is far and away the most sensible option put forward and one I would support.
"It means the excellent work being done in Cleckheaton schools can continue and would maintain four schools. My priority is to keep both affected schools open, although this doesn't mean the admission arrangements can't be flexible."
Mr Wood added: "I will be submitting this to Kirklees and lobbying for it to be adopted. I hope this would find favour in the community while on an educational point I believe it is as sound as the other options presented."
Click here to read Mr Wood's full proposal.
