Dudley Council back £1.2m project to create education and training centre
A £1.2 million project to create an education and training centre on the site of a former school in Dudley has been backed following a public consultation.
Dudley Council wants to set up a learning base providing education for over-16s with learning disabilities at the old Pensnett High School.
A £1m grant has been secured towards the centre which will be run by Pens Meadow Special School in Wordsley.
The project includes demolishing former buildings on the site, including the main school building that fronts Tiled House Lane and the linked science block.
The new centre will be created by refurbishing one of the remaining buildings.
The scheme has been welcomed with hopes of it breathing new life into the site which has been lying empty for four years since the last students left after completing their exams.
Cabinet member for children's services Councillor Tim Crumpton said the plan was due to be approved, paving the way for detailed designs to be drawn up.
"The consultation around the proposals for a state-of-the-art education hub at the former Pensnett School site has now closed and received extremely positive feedback.
"I will be asked to formally approve the proposal so that we can move forward with this exciting development, subject to the usual planning process," he said.
The council has secured £1million from the Education Funding Agency for the work, with a further £270,000 coming from the council.
Officials say the scheme would reduce the number of young people being forced to travel out of the borough to attend school.
Interim director of children's services Pauline Sharratt said: "There is currently a shortfall of places for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities so that they can continue their education and learning in Dudley.
"As a result of this shortfall, many young people have to travel out of borough to acquire a suitable place."
Pensnett High School in Tiled House Lane closed in 2010 following dwindling pupil numbers and failing targets. The 11 per cent GCSE pass rate was well below the national 30 per cent target rate and at the time council education officers said it as 'failing' pupils.
The school shut in August that year despite a public campaign to save it with parents saying they didn't want their children's education disrupted.
Ward councillor Judy Foster said: "I welcome the plans as it will means the school is used again for a valuable purpose."
