Education in Kirklees underwent significant change in the decades following 1945, reflecting wider social and economic transformations. In the immediate post-war period, the secondary school system was divided between grammar schools, which focused on academic study, and secondary modern schools, which offered a more practical curriculum. This division meant that children’s educational paths were largely determined by ability, limiting opportunities for many.

From the 1960s onwards, comprehensive schools were introduced, allowing children of all abilities to learn together in a more inclusive environment. This shift helped to reduce educational inequality and gave young people broader access to academic and vocational courses. At the same time, local technical and further education colleges expanded to meet the needs of new industries developing across Kirklees. These institutions provided training in trades, engineering, and other skills that supported the area’s growing industrial and commercial sectors, ensuring that young people were prepared for the changing workforce.

The period also saw a notable increase in educational opportunities for girls. More young women stayed in school for longer, acquiring qualifications and skills that opened doors to professional careers previously dominated by men. Education thus became a crucial driver of social mobility and economic development in the borough.

Kirklees was also at the forefront of educational diversity. In 1982, one of the earliest Muslim schools in modern Britain opened in the area, funded by Hazard Sheikh Zakaria and the Indian Muslim Society, initially educating just 20 girls. This was an important development locally and it reflected the growing recognition of the borough’s multicultural population and the need to provide educational opportunities that met the cultural and religious needs of different communities.