Closure fear for school

Another secondary school in Dudley could be axed due to falling birth rates.

Education bosses say the long-term futures of schools in the north of the borough are being reviewed, amid rumours that The Coseley School and Sports College is favourite for the chop.

Dudley Council's cabinet member for children's services said today that the chances of one of Coseley, Dormston or High Arcal schools being closed over the next 10 years is "50/50".

But despite increasing numbers of parents in Coseley opting to send their children to one of two Academy schools, in Tipton and Wolverhampton, Councillor Liz Walker said nothing had been decided.

"It is impossible to say at this stage whether a school will have to close," she said.

Only 147 parents gave Coseley School as a first option for their child this year, leaving 48 of the available 195 places vacant.

A council source, who did not want to be named, said: "As far as secondary schools are concerned, the closure of Cradley High School in July and the closure of Pensnett School when it merges with Holly Hall is not the end of the closure programme. The fall in pupil numbers means that another secondary school will have to close, with Coseley School being the current favourite."