£5.4m earmarked for “urgent safety works” at Kirklees schools
It includes work to replace roofs and re-wire buildings
Kirklees Council is set to agree a £5.4m investment for schools, the bulk of which will be spent on tackling “urgent” issues.
The aim is to ensure school buildings remain safe, warm, dry and secure, creating the best conditions and the best outcomes. More than 25 schools are in line for investment and have been identified based on urgency, with Cabinet expected to give the green light at their meeting on Tuesday (June 10).
The chosen schools have been selected through a scoring system, with ’30’ indicating the highest level of need. A report to the meeting explains that: “all of the works proposed have scored 28-30 on the matrix scoring system, indicating that a failure of the element concerned would have a major impact on the individual school from a Health and Safety and/or building closure and/or building damage perspective”.
The proposed programme of works primarily consists of the following categories of work: replacement of life-expired flat and pitched roofs; whole or partial school electrical re-wires; replacement of obsolete boilers and heating distribution systems; and urgent health and safety works including fire safety improvements and structural repairs.
Some of the biggest proposals include rewiring works at Birkby Infant and Nursery School (£264,000), roof works at Norristhorpe Junior and Infant School (£190,000), a kitchen refurbishment at Wellhouse Junior and Infant School (£200,000) and a range of upgrades at Westborough High School (£287,000).
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet member for Finance and Regeneration, said: “We’re very proud of the Kirklees family of schools and their essential place at the heart of local communities. Schools provide more than education and care for our children. They support health and wellbeing, they support the wider family and they work with their community more than ever.
“Through our strong relationships with schools, we will ensure the improvements are delivered to an excellent standard for current and future pupils. Our aim is to replace inefficient materials with modern systems and enhance the physical environment for all concerned. By investing in our children, we are investing in their futures.”
Cash has also been earmarked to create more places for children with additional needs.
Cabinet will be asked to fund a suitable environment for 18 new places for children with complex communication and interaction needs. This would be at New Mill Infants School and New Mill Junior School and provide the right conditions for an ‘Additionally Resourced Provision’ (ARP) – an environment giving specialist support.
A final decision on creating the ARP at New Mill will then be made by the national Department for Education.
Councillor Jane Rylah, Cabinet member for Education, said: “It is a major priority to support our more vulnerable learners and transform services for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). There is a growing demand for specialist school places across the country. Here in Kirklees, we’re doing everything possible to secure more places within the district and meet our local need.
“Additionally Resourced Provisions have opened at other local schools, tackling inequality and creating the right conditions for children to fulfil their potential. ARPs are nurturing spaces specifically tailored to their pupils. We have already seen the difference they make to children, young people and families.”