Free school campaigners have reacted angrily to new proposals by Kirklees Council to close Birkenshaw Middle School.

Under reworked plans, the middle school buildings would close in August, 2013, and be reopened as a through-age primary occupied by the existing staff and pupils of Birkenshaw Church of England First and Nursery School.

But the revival of the reorganisation of schools in Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton and Gomersal from a three-tier to a two-tier system could scupper long-running plans for a free school, which is proposed to open on the very same site.

The BBG Academy Trust’s bid was backed by Education Secretary Michael Gove and Prime Minister David Cameron prior to their election last year.

Councillor Peter O’Neill, the Council’s joint cabinet member for children’s services, said: “There’s no doubt that a two-tier system, with fewer changes of schools for pupils, is of benefit for local children, but as the Government withdrew the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and Primary Capital Programme (PCP) funding last year we’ve had no choice but look at different ways of achieving it.”

A report recommending the plan will be considered by the Council’s cabinet on Tuesday. The Council’s original intentions were to use PCP and BSF monies to extend Birkenshaw CE First and East Bierley CE First schools and build an academy at Howden Clough.

Councillors Robert Light, Andrew Palfreeman and Liz Smaje (Con, Birstall and Birkenshaw) said in a joint statement: “We’re appalled at the announcements which demonstrate a complete disregard for the views of parents, teachers and the community.

“The Council is once again trying to force its will on the parents and community of our area.

“Moving Birkenshaw First School to Birkenshaw Middle School was rejected by the community in 2009 and we believe this proposal to be politically-motivated by a frantic desire to stop the BBG Academy using the Birkenshaw Middle School Site rather than concern for the improvement of primary education.”

A statement by the BBG Academy Trust said: “The Council has once again shown disregard for the views of parents, teachers and the community which has voiced huge opposition to any site changes to the primary schools and huge support for the academy to be located at the Birkenshaw Middle School. We would like to reassure parents and supporters that BBG Academy is on course to be opened in 2013. Our preferred site remains Birkenshaw Middle School which we’re continuing to discuss with the Department for Education and the Council. We anticipate this matter will be resolved by September.”

Angela Holt, head teacher of Birkenshaw First School, said: “The site of our school is central to our whole ethos. We have a huge focus on environmental education and sustainability and our grounds have been developed in line with that. Losing this will have a terrible effect on the whole character of the school.”

She has called a meeting for parents to discuss the plans at the school tomorrow at 6.15pm.

  • Read the full story Thursday’s T&A