Baby boom sees school places rise

More than 1,000 new places are set to be created at four primary schools in Sandwell to cope with growing demand.

A baby boom has been cited as the main reason, although there has also been a rise in Eastern European residents.

Christ Church Primary in Oldbury, Crocketts Community Primary in Smethwick, and Summerhill Primary in Tipton will all double in capacity to accommodate a growth in the number of youngsters, while Rowley Hall Primary in Rowley Regis will see 210 extra places, under plans.

An initial consultation has shown support of the scheme. And on Thursday Sandwell's education boss, Councillor Bob Badham, is set to back the plans.

A consultation document on the plans states that Christ Church and Crocketts Primary would have their current capacities of 210 increased to 420.

Rowley Hall would be boosted from 420 spaces to 630, an extra 210 spaces and Summerhill Primary will go from 420 places to 840 – an increase of 420 spaces.

Extensions will be carried out at the Christ Church, Crocketts and Rowley Hall schools to create new classrooms, while at Summerhill it is proposed to update and use premises at Central Avenue.

The council will apply to the Government for specific funding for extra school places to cover the cost of the works. The report says: "The growth of the schools will be gradual as larger numbers of children are admitted into reception each year and work their way through the schools."

Councillor Bob Badham, cabinet member for children and families, said: "A few years ago people were mig-rating out of Sandwell but now more and more families are coming to live here.

"We are getting a lot of people from Poland and from other parts of Europe but that is not the main reason. The main factor is a rising birth rate generally."