Officials rethink school's future

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Families in school protest

Pressure from parents angry about a council's plan to close a popular school has forced officials to rethink their proposals.

Kirklees Council had wanted to close Castle Hall School in Mirfield as part of a reorganisation of secondary education.

Campaigners went to Downing Street with a petition signed by more than 3,000 people objecting to the closure.

The strength of feeling about the school has forced a council rethink.

Education officials had wanted to close Castle Hall and move the pupils to Mirfield Free Grammar School as part of North Kirklees' Brighter Futures scheme.

A number of protests have been staged against the plans

Revealing the council's decision to re-consider the move Councillor Jim Dodds, who is responsible for education in the Kirklees district, said: "I have asked officers to look into the possibility of all the options we have to retain Castle Hall as part of the future of education in North Kirklees.

"And similarly, to look at the options we've got for a sixth-form presence in Dewsbury in the future."

Mr Dodds said the period of consultation would continue.

Parents and protesters had formed the Retain Education At Castle Hall (Reach) group and were being backed by Labour's Dewsbury MP, Shahid Malik.

They had staged several protests and written to Schools Secretary Ed Balls.

Parent Karen Rowling previously said: "Castle Hall is a popular choice for many local parents because it provides the high standards we want for our children.

"We will be keeping up the pressure on Kirklees Council until they scrap these ridiculous proposals."