School to shut amid shakeup of primary education around Sowerby Bridge
Tuel Lane Infants School is to shut - while Christ Church CE Junior School is to build an extension
Last updated 17th Mar 2026
A Calderdale primary school is to shut and another expanded to house its pupils, amid an objection from a childcare provider at the site which is closing.
Senior councillors have approved the closure of Tuel Lane Infants School, Sowerby Bridge, subject to approval from the diocese to expand Christ Church CE Junior School, which is about half a mile away at Park Road.
Calderdale Council Cabinet members heard the move made sense educationally and financially.
But Hopscotch Tuel Lane Ltd, which provides 16 places for children aged two to five years and before- and after-school care for school-aged children, objected and closure would mean its setting ceased operating.
In its statement to the council, Hopscotch said: “Our setting supports working families and provides essential, funded early years places, particularly for disadvantaged children.
“This would mean the immediate loss of at least 16 funded childcare places for disadvantaged children.”
Hopscotch claim that at the outset of the process they were “explicitly informed” suitable space would be provided at Christ Church but have received no formal communication about this.
In response, Calderdale Council said Hopscotch has received support from early years and childcare officers from May last year including considering alternative premises.
The officers said they were unable to comment on a claim they were informed suitable accommodation would be provided at Christ Church as they were not privy to that accommodation.
Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson, who is also a ward councillor, said a falling roll meant Tuel Lane was forecast to move into deficit and also needed around £440,000 spending on urgent repairs.
That money spent at Christ Church would allow it to expand and house all the pupils on one site.
It would create a single primary school taking children from reception age to Year Six, allowing a consistent ethos and curriculum across all primary age years, creating “a smoother and more continuous learning journey for pupils,” he said.
Coun Wilkinson (Lab, Sowerby Bridge) said there were practical benefits for families too, as pupils went from one site to the other to continue their education from infants to juniors.
The half mile distance between the two involved a steep incline and several road crossings.
Parents would benefit with all children at one site – currently families may have a child at one site and another at the other, he said.
Tuel Lane teachers will transfer to the expanded school.
“Officers are continuing to work with the nursery regarding future arrangements,” he said regarding Hopscotch.