Opposition growing for £15m Wolverhampton school expansion plans

Mobile classrooms will be brought in as schools are temporarily expanded under the radical one-off proposals, while others will get permanent extra places.

But a consultation has found the plans aren't backed by those working in the school system.

Too much pressure on overworked teachers, inadequate facilities to cater for more pupils, not enough room, extra traffic, parking problems and overcrowding were all identified as potential problems.

A spike in the number of school pupils in 2015 and 2016 is behind the temporary expansion of five schools - Bushbury Hill, Loxdale, St Martin's CofE, Stowlawn and West Park primary schools, by 270 pupils in total.

Bilston CofE, Eastfield and Manor Primary and Westacre Infant School will be permanently expanded, with 465 places and new buildings.

And one more as-yet-identified school will be added to the list, with the projected demand for school places having now increased.

The temporary classrooms have been termed as 'bulge' classes, as they will be a short-term fix.

Most opposition centred around the permanent expansion of Manor Primary, with 70 per cent against expanding it.

In a report which goes before Wolverhampton City Council's children and young people scrutiny panel next Tuesday.

A parent said of the plan to increase its admission rate from 60 to 90: "I do think that Manor is already overstretched inside and out and we will see the quality of teaching drop."

The report acknowledges there are certain risks involved with the expansion programme.

It adds: "Levels of demand are anticipated to continue to increase in the short terms and projections suggest that further additional school places will need to be introduced into the school estate to ensure sufficient places are available.

The report will be taken to a cabinet meeting on November 12 with chiefs recommending it be approved.