£100k boost for Halifax school’s sixth form centre

The council had agreed to contribute half of the capital needed towards Ravenscliffe High School’s plans to build a £3m centre at Halifax’s Spring Hall, Huddersfield Road.

The school has been on a massive community campaign to raise the pounds to make the dream a reality for students and to take the pressure off the over-subscribed Halifax high school.

Community fundraising,school savings, grants and key stone donations have generated £750,000.

To commission the ‘green light’ on the build, the council has said it will invest an additional £100,000 to the Ravenscliffe@SpringHall project.

Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, coun Megan Swift, said: “The additional funding will contribute significantly to the additional money needed. I’m delighted we’re a step closer to making the vision a reality.”

She said the funding will ensure the school can meet growing demand for places and provide top-class facilities and support for pupils with complex needs.”

Ravenscliffe head teacher, Martin Moorman, announced the good news to an audience at the school’s Tour de Force Concert. He said: “Our sincere thanks go to the council for backing us with this project. The practicalities are that the project will move towards a ‘design freeze’, hopefully by the end of July 2014 which will then generate planning and tendering applications. The first spade in the ground is probable around April 2015 with a 40 week building programme following this. Massive thanks to our supporting community.”

It is hoped the trackside centre will open in September 2016.