THE keys to a new replacement building have been handed over at a Cleckheaton school.

Work to replace Whitcliffe Mount School on the same site has been completed in time for the new academic year.

Headteacher at Whitcliffe Mount School, Jennifer Templar said this September would be more special than most and described the finished building as “amazing”.

She said: “The start of a new academic year always conjures up a sense of excitement and the feeling of a fresh start but this September will be more special than most when we welcome students through the doors of our fantastic new building. We have all watched with anticipation as the building has developed from the ground up over the last 12 months and the end product looks amazing.

“It is true that the quality of a school depends on far more than just bricks and mortar but it is also important that a modern school building actively supports high quality teaching and learning and promotes a positive educational experience. Our new building, with its state of the art facilities and purpose-built layout, will certainly do that. We are also determined that the wider community should benefit from this once-in-a-generation investment, so we will be making our facilities available for community use in the near future, once we have had chance to settle in.”

“I’m sure our students are going to be delighted with the quality of their new school building and we are all incredibly excited to begin this new chapter in the long and proud history of Whitcliffe Mount.”

The main teaching block has been built next to the old building, which is set to be demolished once the transfer has been completed.

Local campaigners are still hoping to keep part of the old school building, despite the demolition order, and have been encouraging developers who could redevelop the 100-year-old foundation building to come forward.

Following a 4,000-signature petition, a debate is set to take place next month at a meeting of Kirklees Council. But the authority has made it clear that the decisions have already been taken.