Woodley School and College

We've progressed plans for a new special school in Almondbury, which will create new, purpose-built facilities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Why the new school is being built

One of our priorities is making sure young people have the best start in life.

As part of a large investment in local SEND schools, Woodley School and College is one of two special schools which are set to be relocated and improved, creating better provision locally and reducing the need for children and young people with special educational needs to travel outside of Kirklees for education.

The new development will provide a bespoke, high quality school for these students, greatly improving on the school's current facilities and allowing it to increase the number of places it offers.

Have your say on our plans

We are working in partnership with Woodley School and College to create a purpose-built special school with approximately 180 places for children and young people with complex autism.

Woodley School and College is currently situated on a site off Dog Kennel Bank in Huddersfield, operating from multiple buildings, including two Grade II listed buildings. Additional teaching spaces have been added over time, but any further developments are restricted due to the site.

The development will create additional special school places for pupils aged 5-15 years, with a post-16 provision. The new school will provide a suitable environment for a high level of therapeutic support, alongside excellent teaching for pupils with SEND.

The preferred site for the replacement new school is land that was formerly home to Almondbury Community School. Before we apply for planning permission, we want to hear your views on the project.

Other ways to have your say

There will also be in-person sessions where you can view the proposal and chat to members of our team. These are:

• Tuesday 14 May, Woodley School and College, Huddersfield, HD5 8JE (4.30pm - 6.30pm)
• Tuesday 21 May, Hill View Academy, Almondbury, HD5 8YE (3.30pm - 5.30pm)

What happens next

The plans require the clearing of several existing buildings on the site, making way for construction of the new, specially designed Woodley School and College.

The buildings affected by the clearing of the site, which is on Fernside in Almondbury, are the former school, the swimming pool and sports centre, and a building currently used by a private pre-school.

The sports centre is currently disused, and Almondbury Swimming Pool is not open to the public. Alternative locations were recently found for swimming lessons and club activities during a temporary closure.

We're also working closely with the private preschool to move it from its existing site on Fernside Avenue to the purpose built Early Years facility at Almondbury Children's Centre and Library, off Farfield Road, for the continuity of its services.

It is hoped that work to start clearing the site will begin in the coming months, followed by the construction phase.

Why Woodley School and College needs a new building

Currently, the council does not have enough special school places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. This means some children have to go to school outside of Kirklees or to independent schools, which are very expensive for the council and not always the best option for the child or their family.

The new school building will increase the number of places available at Woodley School and College to 180.

The increase in places cannot be achieved at their current site. The current school buildings are dated, with any further developments being restricted due to the site.