Sponsored by
Wakefield: Future of school trip centre is uncertain
A popular school trip residential centre is facing an uncertain future.
* Click here to sign up to free news and sport email alerts from your YEP.
The Hornsea Outdoor Residential Centre has been owned by Wakefield Council since 1938 and has been used by local schools for residential trips for many years.
* Click here for latest YEP news and sport picture slideshows.
But the council's Lifelong Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee have been asked to look at what should be done with the seaside centre amid fears that it is no longer providing value for money.
* Click here to watch latest YEP news and sport video reports.
A report to the committee says: "The centre has to be viable and provide value for money for schools, families and the local authority, and increasingly has to be fit for purpose in a modern setting.
"Although the centre is well utilised by local schools, it is also suggested that there are a significant number of schools in the district that do not use it.
"This along with a difficult economic climate and current financial pressures adds weight to the speculation around the centre's future viability."
Youngsters visiting the centre have taken part in activities including hiking and star-gazing.
Members of the committee have been to the centre to see what it has to offer.
Coun Monica Graham, committe chairman, said: "During our visit to Hornsea we were told that many schools value the centre and the facilities it provides. However, the centre has to be viable and provide value for money."
She added that educational visits are "among the most memorable experiences in a child's school life" and said the committee is keen that schools take advantage of the opportunities that learning outside the classroom provides.
At next week's meeting, the committee will be considering options for the future use of the Hornsea Centre and making recommendations to the council's cabinet.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
