Construction work is progressing on site at a Calderdale specialist school, to create a top-class learning experience for students.
Calderdale Council has invested nearly £3 million to build a permanent extension at Ravenscliffe @ Spring Hall.
This will replace the four temporary classrooms that the Council provided to support more students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
This was just one part of the Council’s work to increase the number of school places for children and young people with additional needs, in response to the national shortage. Other actions include plans to build a new through school for primary and secondary special school places on the former Threeways Community Centre site in Ovenden, and creating a new ‘alternative provision free school’ to provide short-term placements with a range of support for young people with complex needs.
The building work at Ravenscliffe @ Spring Hall, carried out by Jupiter Construction, will create a high-quality space for students with SEND, with sustainable features that support Calderdale’s action to tackle climate change.
The extension to the existing school building will include four classrooms, flexible space, a group room, a quiet / sensory room, toilet facilities and a dedicated outdoor play / social space.
Cllr Adam Wilkinson, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said:
“It’s brilliant to see work underway on site to provide a permanent extension to Ravenscliffe @ Spring Hall. The temporary modular building has provided modern, functional facilities for more students with SEND, but the new extension will bring everyone together in the same accessible building. This will create an even more positive and welcoming learning experience for young people with a wide range of needs.
“Over the past few years, the Council has committed to increasing specialist school places here in Calderdale for children and young people who need additional support, to reduce inequalities and help them achieve their best as close to home as possible. This builds on the great work already being done in mainstream schools and existing special schools to help meet the ongoing increased demand for places.”
When there aren’t enough specialist places available, students often have to travel to schools outside of Calderdale or in the private sector, which adds challenges for them and costs for the Council.
Jo Hague, Headteacher of Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College, said:
“We are very pleased that work has now commenced on the permanent extension at Ravenscliffe @ Spring Hall. The temporary Portakabins have provided accommodation since 2023, but this new development will give our students a more inclusive and better equipped learning environment. As a whole our school remains oversubscribed for the facilities and space currently available, and we are committed to working closely with the Local Authority to support the increasing numbers of children and young people with complex needs across Calderdale.”
Graham Mattison, Construction Director, Jupiter Construction LTD, said:
“We are pleased to be working with Calderdale Council once again to support the delivery of much-needed specialist education provision. This project reflects a shared commitment to creating high-quality, inclusive learning environments that will make a lasting difference to young people and the wider community.”
Students are continuing with their learning throughout the building work, and the on-site café remains open to the public as usual on Thursdays and Fridays during school term time.
Work is expected to be completed in winter 2026.
The investment in specialist school places supports the ‘hope’ and ‘opportunity’ themes of Vision 34 – a shared, 10-year ambition to make Calderdale a better place for everyone, based on the stories that unite us. People from all walks of life are encouraged to share their positive stories about life in Calderdale on the My Calderdale Story website: MyCalderdaleStory.com(external link)