January 2026 Kirklees SEND Newsletter
Great progress in Joseph Norton Academy plans.
The landscape is changing in Huddersfield as work continues to build a new school for pupils with Social Emotional and Mental Health needs.
The superb new facilities are for Joseph Norton Academy, which will move from its current site in Scissett to a new location in Deighton.
The school will also increase its numbers so that more pupils can be educated locally in Kirklees.
The main steel structure is now in place, and you can discover more about this exciting project, which is funded by Kirklees Council, by visiting the Kirklees Together website (opens in new page)
…….and more good news for Woodley School and College
Joseph Norton Academy is not the only Kirklees special school on the move – plans are also well advanced for Woodley School and College.
Woodley, which caters for pupils with complex autism, is relocating to Almondbury. It will expand its numbers to around 180 places and enjoy state-of-the-art facilities once work is complete.
Funding has now been approved for the next phase of the project, which means building work can start later this year. There are more details on Kirklees Together (opens in a new page).
Get help with your conversations.
Local parent/carer forum PCAN (Parents of Children with Additional Needs) are running an important workshop in February.
The workshop is for parents and carers and is called ‘Own the Room’. It’s all about preparing for, and getting the most from, meetings with professionals.
For example, you can:
- Learn how to prepare for meetings with schools, health and social care professionals
• Find ways to gain confidence and raise your self-esteem
• Get practical tools and phrases to help you speak up and stay focused
• Explore how to build positive, productive relationships with professionals
• Connect with other parents/carers
The session is on Wednesday, February 11th (10:00 – 11:45). If you can’t make it, more are being planned. Book your place on the PCAN website (opens in a new page).
It's good to talk!
PCAN are also running a series of social events throughout 2026, where you can meet up with other parents/carers, share your experiences and leave with valuable advice.
The ‘cuppa and chat’ sessions take place across Kirklees and are welcoming spaces, open to everyone. It’s good to talk, so come along!
All the dates and venues are on the PCAN website (opens in a new page).
More schools sign up to neurodiversity scheme
We’ve previously told you about a brilliant project called PINS (Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools).
In the last academic year, 14 Kirklees schools took part in the project and supported attendance and wellbeing for neurodiverse pupils.
Now another 10 schools have signed up so that even more children can benefit from the work. They are teaming up with other organisations - such as Kirklees Council, PCAN, and charities Barnardo’s, Bringing Us Together and Stripes - to develop staff training, improve support for pupils and give parents a real voice in education.
The latest schools are:
- Spring Grove JIN
- Birkby Junior
- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary
- Crossley Fields Junior and Infants
- Birkenshaw CE (C) Primary
- Manorfield Infant and Nursery
- Birdsedge First
- Batley Parish CE Primary Academy
- Lowerhouses CE Primary
- St Paulinus Catholic Primary.
en-GBLast updated: 22/01/2026