Work has started on a new purpose-built special school in Deighton.
Joseph Norton Academy is moving from Scissett to a new building on the site of the former Deighton Centre in Deighton Road.
Students joined representatives from the school, Kirklees Council, Wellspring Academy Trust and construction firm Wates at a groundbreaking ceremony.
The school’s existing location is cramped and the buildings are out-dated and can’t be extended.
The new site will offer a high-quality, state-of-the-art learning environment that is able to support the needs of children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties.
The development will increase the school’s capacity from 63 to 132 places for children and young people aged four to 18, providing greater opportunities of co-education for a wider age range, with the introduction of a Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 5 offer.
The centralised location will also reduce travel times for many students who live across Kirklees, and improve access to public transport.
How Joseph Norton Academy could look
Clr Carole Pattison, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “With growing national demand for specialist school places, this major development will help meet local needs, expand provision in Kirklees and ensure more children can access high-quality education in Kirklees.
“Once completed, the new school building will increase capacity at Joseph Norton Academy to 132 places.
“This means more children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can be educated locally, providing greater support for local families, as well as delivering long-term financial savings for the council.
“The school’s more central location in Deighton and improved transport links will help ease pressure on those families and students who currently travel large distances to get to school.”
Todd Cheetham, head of school at Joseph Norton Academy, added: “The groundbreaking marks a momentous new chapter for Joseph Norton and we are immensely grateful to all of the partners who have helped us get this far.
“This purpose-built school and sanctuary will offer a transformative space where students feel safe, understood and empowered to flourish.
“It represents our commitment to Kirklees and Kirklees’ commitment to children with SEMH needs.”
Kirklees Council has allocated around £50 million for two new special schools. The other one will see Woodley School and College, which supports autistic pupils aged five to 19, relocate from Lowerhouses to the site of the former Almondbury Community School, which is currently being demolished.
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