Expansion works to commence on Grammar School with £3.2m investment

Work to expand Ilkley Grammar School is set to begin on 1 October 2018 following a £3.2m investment.

The work is being carried out to meet the demand for secondary school places particularly in the Wharfedale area of the district.

The project is being led by Bradford Council with the £3.2m grant from the Department for Education.

The work that will be carried out includes reconfiguration of the existing school buildings and the construction of a new teaching block.

This announcement follows on from a consultation that took place in 2016 on increasing the number of pupils who are admitted to the School each year from 245 to 300.

The increase came into effect this September.

The company to build this new teaching block is Bermar Building Company, which is also based in Bradford.

Rob Moon, managing director of Bermar Building Company, said: “Bermar has worked for Bradford Council almost continuously over the past 45 years and look forward to our next project together at Ilkley Grammar School.

“We are a Chartered Building Company and directly employ local people at all levels  to add to the Bradford economy.

“We operate a thriving apprenticeship scheme and have recently recruited new apprentices to work on this project. Bermar has a full Social Responsibility Programme and use local subcontractors and suppliers whenever possible.”

Cllr Imran Khan, portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, added: “It’s great for the district that the work to expand pupil places at Ilkley Grammar School is getting underway. It means we will have more capacity to meet the growth in pupil numbers.

“It’s also good news that the work will be carried out by a Bradford based company and will support jobs and employment in our district.”