Two Sandwell schools to be rebuilt - but it's not enough, say council bosses
Two primary schools in Sandwell are to be rebuilt thanks to a Government grant – but council bosses say it is not enough to cope with soaring demand.
Visiting the area, education secretary Nicky Morgan revealed Abbey Infant School in Smethwick and Yew Tree Primary School are to benefit from the £6 billion revamp scheme.
But Sandwell Council says it is nothing compared with the £125 million it was stripped of in 2010 when the Coalition Government axed the £55bn Building Schools for the future programme.
And its leader is warning the borough needs new primary and secondary schools in addition to what is already there to cope with rising demand.
Mrs Morgan confirmed that around £2bn will be invested in rebuilding or refurbishing buildings at 277 schools across England, under the second phase of the scheme. Around 260 schools are already being refurbished under the first phase of the programme, including 22 across the West Midlands.
Schools including Huntingtree Primary School, Halesowen, and Rivers Primary Academy, Walsall, were among the additional schools announced to benefit.
Mrs Morgan visited Rivers, in Blakenall, while schools minister Nick Boles went to Huntingtree.
Mrs Morgan said: "The learning environment is very important but the biggest factor is still the quality of teaching. We take investment in the education system very seriously."
Labour accused the Conservatives of using the promise to boost their chances in the General Election. Both schools visited are in marginal constituencies.
Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, said:"Nicky Morgan may think that visiting marginal seats with fewer than 90 days to the election and promising jam tomorrow is a winner but she needs to do her homework if she thinks this will be an easy one." Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper added: "We have pupils in Smethwick having to go to school in West Bromwich because of a shortage of places.
"We need a new secondary school and a new primary school in addition to what we have. I'm pleased for the two schools in Sandwell on this list. But we need far more than this. Sandwell has lost out on hundreds of millions of pounds through the BSF cuts and cuts to our own budgets."
