E-ACT chosen to develop a new academy in Kirklees

Kirklees Council Cabinet members have chosen E-ACT to establish a new secondary school in Howden Clough.

The new school, on the site of the current Batley Girls’ High School at Windmill Lane, Howden Clough, would open in September 2013 following the relocation of the Girls’ school to a shared site with Batley Business & Enterprise College at Field Hill.

Under the Building Schools for the Future programme, the academy would benefit from extensive investment, with existing buildings being refurbished and rebuilt.

Councillors considered three proposals against the specification that was consulted upon and published in August last year alongside the appropriate DCSF guidance and the feedback gathered from the local community.

Cllr Ken Smith, joint Cabinet member for Children and Families, said: “E-ACT’s submission clearly demonstrated its strength of experience, a proven track record and broad management support. 

“E-ACT is a successful education sponsor responsible for developing and opening academies across England.  They already have eight academies open with over 6,000 students and 1,000 staff and have more in development.

“This is a very exciting development - an opportunity for a new school venture using the existing very good facilities - but the new management will also have the benefit of substantial new investment in the building, made available through the Building Schools for the Future funds from government.

“We took the greatest care in considering all the proposals put to the council and have personally engaged directly with all three organisations who have 'bid', including in each case visiting a school the organisation currently runs.

Cllr Cath Harris, joint Cabinet member for Children and Families, said: “Our clear ambition is to be performing at the top quartile. We strongly believe that the new school at Howden Clough, with an extremely strong lead from E-ACT, creates excellent prospects for radically improved performance for this part of North Kirklees.