Delighted MP hands over £700k boost for local school
10 October 2007
Dewsbury and Mirfield MP Shahid Malik was on hand to present a cheque for more than £717,000 from the Football Foundation to St John Fisher Catholic High School a to build a new 3rd generation synthetic turf pitch.
The facility will be used by local schools as well as Dewsbury Rangers FC who have used the school's indoor facilities for the past seven years.
The development will be the final piece of the sporting jigsaw at the Dewsbury school. In September 2005 St John Fisher was designated a specialist Sports College and is also the hub of the School Sports Partnership which co-ordinates and promotes sport and physical education in 42 junior and infant schools and seven high schools. The school fields have already been drained as part of this scheme.
Shahid Malik said: "I've no doubt that the facility will prove very popular and will be much used by a variety of local schools and organisations. I'm delighted as it's a real boost for what is a fantastic school and a credit must go to Fishers' Director of Sport, Bernie Preece, and everyone involved in the bid including Dewsbury rangers. I am looking forward to testing my football skills once the new pitch is complete."
Mr Malik also took the opportunity to congratulate Kevin Higgins for his excellent leadership of the school which has resulted in record GCSE results at 60%. Mr Malik said: "Kevin and the whole of the staff as well as pupils and parents ought to be congratulated - the record GCSE results are above the national average and I feel very proud to be the local MP of a school that is performing so well and I look forward to continuing my friendship with the school."