The office of the schools' adjudicator, Canon Richard Lindley, has overturned Kirklees Council's plans to axe the school and expand Mirfield Free Grammar School.

Castle Hall headteacher Andy Pugh and chair of governors Brian Nicholson said they were 'thrilled and delighted'.

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In a joint statement they said: "We always knew we had a strong case against closure. Castle Hall School has remained a popular, successful and over-subscribed school – even in the face of two separate proposals to close us.

"The adjudicator's comments covers 25 pages of detailed considerations and, on the whole, support the school's case.

"We are convinced that the strength of parental and public support for the school has been significant in influencing the outcome, and we therefore want to pay tribute to the work done by members of the REACH campaign in highlighting the issue. The hard work and support from our MP Shahid Malik has also been of considerable help.

"We are so grateful to everyone who has taken an interest in our case, and to Canon Lindley for considering the case so thoroughly and impartially."

MP Shahid Malik said: "I am absolutely delighted at this result. The whole community has got behind the campaign and I am immensely proud to have been at the forefront with them.

"Today justice has been done and this result is a great boost for young people and families in Mirfield and beyond."

Retain Education At Castle Hall (REACH) chairwoman Karen Rowling said: "I am on top of the world. I found out when I was at work and I was just screaming and everybody was looking at me. Just to know we have saved the future of education in Mirfield for our children is fantastic. A huge thank you to everybody who has helped us and especially Shahid Malik because he has been a rock throughout.

"There won't be anyone in Mirfield not smiling tonight!!

Vice chairman Alan Wilkinson said he was 'euphoric' when he heard the school had been saved. He said: "This is phenomenal news. It's not unexpected because we kenw all along we were going to win but we are all over the moon and from our point of view justice has been done."

Mirfield Free Grammar principal Lorraine Barker said: "We are delighted with this decision and we would like to thank all staff, students, parents, residents and friends for their tremendous support."

See Friday's Reporter for more on this story.