Case Study 2: Head battles for new building as ageing school hit by cuts

Todmorden High headteacher Patrick Ottley-O'Connor said the condition of his buildings were now so poor that staff treated these disruptions as part of their job. But he is determined for it to change.

The school has been identified as Calderdale Council's top priority for rebuilding work if the authority is accepted onto the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

It has remained on a waiting list for several years, however, and major cuts in public spending mean the scheme is expected to be scaled back rather than expanded.

Mr Ottley-O'Connor said: "I expect the BSF plug will be pulled. If someone tells us we have to wait another three years then we will have to wait three years but this school building is not fit-for purpose. We are attempting to deliver a 21st century education with 20th century facilities." He paid tribute to both staff and pupils for delivering improved results in spite of the school's condition and added, "with a new building we would really be flying". Both he and the headteacher of Calder High, in Mytholmroyd, intend to ask Calder Valley's new MP Craig Whittaker to help them secure the cash to rebuild.

Before elected to Parliament, Mr Whittaker was Calderdale Council cabinet member for children's services and had lobbied for the schools to receive BSF cash.