Schools could benefit from council cash

Earlsheaton Infant school, Commercial Street, Earlsheaton, Dewsbury.
Kirklees council are due to approve funding which will see an old portakabin classroom replaced.
d308b315 — Earlsheaton Infant school, Commercial Street, Earlsheaton, Dewsbury. Kirklees council are due to approve funding which will see an old portakabin classroom replaced. d308b315

Kirklees Council has identified a number of ageing temporary classrooms that are in poor condition and in urgent need of replacement.

Earlsheaton Infant School could benefit from a new classroom to replace an ageing portable cabin if councillors approve the scheme.

A report due to be discussed at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, states: “Urgent repairs have been carried out on the existing temporary classroom but it has less than one year’s useful life remaining.”

It is hoped a new-build extension will be in place for September 2014 if the plans are approved.

The scheme would alleviate pressure on schools in Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury West that has been partly caused a population increase in the area.

Ravensthorpe Infant and Nursery School has been selected by the Council as a one which could ease the burden. Education bosses plan to replace a double classroom that is in poor condition with a four-classroom extension, increasing the school’s capacity from 108 to 120 children.

Boothroyd Junior and Infant School will also take on extra pupils, increasing capacity from 420 to 630 pupils. Seven new classrooms would be needed to accommodate the new intake.

The report suggests using the Temple Road annexe, previously used by the council, to build four new classrooms by September 2013. A further two classrooms would be added to the existing building or an extension could be built.

Proposals for Westborough High School include a new corridor, additional toilets, a new science laboratory and additional staff accommodation.

The report recommends that the council approve all the proposals.