Ex-school's demolition to make way for new special school

A date for the demolition of a former school in Huddersfield has been set as plans to build a new special school in its place move forward.

All of Almondbury Community School's buildings, including a swimming pool and sports facilities, will be knocked down this October, it has been confirmed.

The site will be the new home of Woodley School and College, which caters for students up to the age of 19 with complex autism.

A spokesperson said the move to the new site would help young people to "enjoy the best possible start in life".

According to Kirklees Council documents, the existing 1960s secondary school building, pool and nursery in Almondbury "cannot be repurposed" for use by a special educational needs school.

“The existing sports centre, built in the 2000s, is not fit for use for children and young people with complex autism," the documents added.

Proposals for the new school would be brought forward in a planning application, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Woodley School and College is currently located at Lowerhouses.

Speaking about the importance of increasing special needs provision in Kirklees, the council’s former cabinet member for children’s services, Councillor Viv Kendrick, said: “The expansion of Woodley is an exciting development.

"It will enhance support for local children, both now and in the future."

She added: “The number of places will increase gradually, leading up to the school moving to its new and better facility – the building of which will be another fantastic step forward."

Another special school in Kirklees, the Joseph Norton Academy, is also going to be moved and rebuilt in Deighton.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].