Work to allow for an increase in specialist school places in Calderdale, is being discussed by the Council’s Cabinet.
The shortage of specialist school placements is a national issue and one which is reflected locally. Calderdale currently has a shortfall in provision for pupils with special needs and is increasingly required to allocate specialist places in the private sector, or outside of Calderdale, meaning children are sometimes going to school further from where they live. As well as impacting on children’s and families’ lives, this is a costly solution.
Calderdale Council is committed to supporting those with complex needs and has been working to expand and increase the number of specialist placements within the borough.
Ravenscliffe High School is Calderdale’s only secondary specialist school, providing support for young people aged 11-19 with a wide range of special education needs. The school is split over two sites, one at Skircoat and the other at Spring Hall, Halifax.
The Ravenscliffe@Spring Hall site is adjacent to land currently defined as Open Space and operated by the Council’s Public Services directorate.
To allow the for the expansion of the Ravenscliffe@Spring Hall site, providing much-needed additional specialist places, the Council’s Cabinet are being asked to agree to the internal transfer of the land from one Council department to another. The land would remain in Council ownership but would become part of the Children and Young People’s Service directorate.
Two sections of land would be transferred, one to allow for the construction of an extension to the Ravenscliffe@Spring Hall site, and another to accommodate the temporary structures, already on site, whilst the permanent facility is being built. The land relating to the temporary structure would be transferred back to Public Services once the new building opens.
Planning permission is already in place for the buildings. The transfer of land would allow work to progress on the expansion plans.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Adam Wilkinson, said:
“Like many councils across the country, we continue to see increased demand for specialist school places in Calderdale. We’re working hard to meet this demand and increase the number of SEND places in the borough, including new provision as well as the expansion of existing providers.
“We want all children in Calderdale to achieve their best and we understand the importance of providing more high-quality provision, closer to home. The transfer of land between council directorates is a necessary step to allow expansion plans at Ravenscliffe to progress.”
The report will be considered at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 1 September 2025 from 4pm. The meeting can be watched online at https://calderdale.public-i.tv/core/portal/home(external link)