Kirklees Council is planning a new purpose-built special school in Almondbury for children and young people with complex autism and a public consultation has been launched.

The council is working with Woodley School and College to build a new school with around 180 places. The preferred site is the former Almondbury Community School in Fernside Avenue.

The new school is part of the council’s major investment in special school provision for local pupils and is also part of transforming support for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Woodley School and College is currently at a site off Dog Kennel Bank, operating from multiple buildings. Additional teaching spaces have been added over time but any further developments are restricted due to the site.

Relocating to a new school will create additional places for pupils aged five-15 years, with a post-16 provision also included.

The council says the new school will have superb facilities and be a suitable environment for a high level of tailored support, alongside excellent teaching for pupils with SEND.

It will also reduce the need for children and young people with SEND to travel outside of Kirklees for their education.

The preferred site is the former Almondbury Community School but before the council applies for planning permission, it wants to hear the views of the public.

There are two in-person drop-in sessions and the consultation runs until June 17.

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

The council also plans to relocate another special school, Joseph Norton Academy, from Scissett to the site of the former Deighton Centre in Deighton.

For more information visit the Our Kirklees Futures web page.