ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Kirkburton Middle School is a Kirklees Local Authority co-educational school with no religious affiliation, for boys and girls aged from 10 to 13 years old. (National Curriculum Years 6, 7 and 8). There were 502 pupils on roll in January 2009. Our class sizes average 28, with 6 classes in each Year Group.

Most pupils come from schools in Emley, Farnley Tyas, Highburton, Kirkburton, Shelley, Shepley and Thurstonland.

Our school, purpose built as a middle school in 1973, is an integral part of the popular and successful Shelley Pyramid (or family) of schools, and pupils normally transfer to Shelley College at the end of Year 8. Close links exist at all levels between schools throughout the pyramid, ensuring continuity, progression and efficient transfer between different phases.

Kirkburton itself is approximately five miles from Huddersfield on the A629 Huddersfield to Penistone road and surrounded by beautiful countryside. Both village and school are well served by a number of bus routes.

Within school there are three Pastoral Group areas, each containing five or six general purpose classrooms, all fitted with interactive whiteboards. In addition, there is a Science lab, two fully equipped Technology rooms, a modern, purpose designed Art room and excellent outdoor P.E. facilities. Pupils have access to three networked Information Technology suites and there are also several computers situated in each pastoral area. The number of computers available for pupil use exceeds the  DCSF recommendation of 1 computer for every 5 pupils.

Major improvements to facilities for Art and all aspects of Design Technology were completed in September 2005, together with the development of a new Learning Resource Area and Music practice rooms. An all-weather, floodlit training pitch with new changing rooms was opened in September 2004 following extensive drainage of our school playing fields. These facilities are also used extensively by the local community. A new Music Room is due to be installed.

The school is on one level and is accessible by wheelchairs with a separate toilet facility for disabled pupils.

Each Pastoral Area has its own entrance, cloakroom and toilets. All Year 6 classrooms are situated in a single KS2 Pastoral Area. In our two other KS3 Pastoral Areas there are three Year 7 and three Year 8 classes. At breaks and lunch-time pupils use hard-surface play areas for quieter activities and the all-weather pitch for (tennis) ball games. Rota systems operate at certain times. Pupils can stay in at break if they wish. Pupils can also come into school in the morning at any time from 08.00.