Birkdale High School

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Birkdale High School is a school in Kirklees. The school is quite small, with just under 600 pupils at present 2006/7. The school's buildings are in two distinct phases; the older building, comprising mainly the former Wheelwright Grammar school (Girl's section) and a newly built wing connected by a bridge c1990; though the main building is in need of some repair in places especially the roof. The school is fortunate to be set amongst lovely grassed grounds with a large playing and track area and more recluse quad parts.

The school is located on Halifax road, near the Dewsbury/Batley boarder. The intake of the school is reflected by the surrounding area, most pupils are taken from the Batley/Dewsbury area due to the school's central location and its position on many bus routes through the surrounding towns. The school, oddly, has a slightly high male population due to the presence of an all girls school in the school's catchment area as noted by OFSTED.

The school was placed in 'special measures' by the government’s inspectorate, OFSTED, under a section 3 inspection in 2005 for several reasons. The school has since been removed from special measures and placed into a 'Notice to improve'. The school will be re-inspected in the near future.[1]

At present the Kirklees council are considering the provision of 11-16year olds in the North Kirklees area with a view to merge/close some schools to form a city academy or a trust school under the Building Schools for the Future BSF program; this process is ongoing at present.