Baby boom has impact on primary schools

A baby boom, fewer pupils entering private education and an increase in new housing developments is putting pressure on Wolverhampton's primary schools.

A £3 million expansion programme will start at four schools in September but education bosses are already considering more schemes, especially in Bilston, Heath Town and Whitmore Reans.

The number of births in the city has rocketed 10 per cent since 2006 – up to 3,525 a year. As of October 2011, there were 19,502 primary pupils in the city.

Council bosses believe this figure will only increase.

The £3m expansion programme will focus on Northwood Park Primary School in Bushbury, Eastfield Primary in Heath Town, St Andrew's CE Primary in Whitmore Reans and Bilston CE Primary. Extra classrooms will be created using any surplus accommodation at the sites.

Wolverhampton City Council also acknowledged there may be "additional demand for places" in these areas in the future.

In Bushbury, the number of births a year has risen from 357 in 2004 to 418 in 2010. And new houses being built on the former Goodyear site are only expected to increase demand on local schools.

As a result, Northwood Park will increase its reception admissions from 60 to 75 from September. In Heath Town and East Park, the number of births per year has risen from 354 in 2004 to 434 in 2010. Eastfield Primary will, therefore, be extended to accommodate 45 reception pupils, instead of the current 30.

The number of births in Park and St Peter's wards has gone up from 326 in 2004 to 422 in 2010. In Bilston, births have increased from 364 to 406 and Bilston Primary will be extended.