Plans for a brand new, state-of-the-art sixth form centre for students at Ravenscliffe High School could move a step closer next week.
On Monday 8 July 2013, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet will consider the proposal to move Ravenscliffe sixth form to a new build in the Spring Hall area, just minutes from Halifax town centre.
Ravenscliffe High School is Calderdale’s only secondary special school. The school caters for pupils with a wide range of special educational needs, providing support for up to 140 young people. Currently, 50 of these students are aged between 16 and 19.
Demand for places at Ravenscliffe is growing. Calderdale Council has recognised the need for an additional sixth form centre to ensure that pupils with more complex needs continue to receive the best possible support, in top class facilities.
Cabinet is being asked to:
- Approve the development of a new sixth form centre for Ravenscliffe School
- Agree and monitor a business plan for the centre with Calderdale Council officers, before authority for the new facility is handed over to the school
The cost to build the new centre is estimated at £1.5 million. This is due to come from the £7.5 million funding that the Council received from Central Government in 2010, to be used to address capacity issues for 14 19 year olds and those with special needs. Calderdale Council’s Cabinet will decide if a new development can take place using this funding, or if other options need to be pursued.
The site at Spring Hall would also bring benefits to the community, as Ravenscliffe is committed to opening any new facility for wider usage, with a number of areas available for people to use outside of school hours.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young Peoples Services, Cllr Megan Swift, said:
“It’s vital that Ravenscliffe School can continue to deliver a high standard of educational support. The school was judged as ‘outstanding’ in its most recent Ofsted report, and these developments would ensure that Ravenscliffe can keep delivering at this high level.
“The proposed improved facilities will have a positive effect on a number of Calderdale services, providing a great new facility for some of the borough’s most vulnerable young people.”
Ravenscliffe High School’s Headteacher, Martin Moorman, added:
“The students, parents, staff and Governors welcome the exciting news that Ravenscliffe@SpringHall project is to be presented for approval by Calderdale Council’s Cabinet.
“The opportunity to develop a resource that not only enhances the education of our students but provides scope for extended community use at the easily accessible Spring Hall site is a welcome tonic to our whole school community. This project, to provide a top class specialist facility, will place young people with special needs at the centre of a sporting resource that could eventually become a jewel in Calderdale’s crown.”