'Great news for the children of Sandwell', say council bosses as new Oldbury secondary school announced

The school will be built on the former Langley High School site on Moat Road after plans were given the go-ahead by the Department for Education.

It will be the first new secondary school to open in ten years in the entire borough and is one of the first schools to be agreed recently by the government.

The new school is being sponsored by Eric and Grace Payne, who were the sponsors of the recently successful Q3 Academy in nearby Great Barr.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for Children's Services said: "I'm thrilled we are able to open a new secondary school and it's great news for the children of Sandwell.

"This will make a fantastic addition to our schools and will be the first new secondary school to open in Sandwell since the Sandwell Academy.

"Securing the sponsorship of Eric and Grace Payne is great news. The Q3 Academy in Great Barr is giving young people a great standard of education and we hope to continue this in the new school in Oldbury."

The first 120 year seven pupils will start at the school in September next year. The school will grow from there and eventually accommodate 1,200 pupils from around the area.

Council Leader Councillor Darren Cooper added: "It's great we are opening another school in Sandwell. This is a much needed school in Oldbury where it is expected there will be increasing demand for secondary school places in the next few years."

The previous school on the site, Langley High School, closed in 2007, but the site was still being used by Oldbury Academy, formerly Warley High School, until 2012, when that too closed its doors.

Funding streams will now be confirmed and planning permission must be obtained before work can begin on the site later this year.

Eric and Grace Payne will sponsor the new school via their existing charity, the Grace Charitable Trust.

The trust is a Christian organisation which has funded various educational and hospital projects since 1985.

Mr Payne, a businessman who is originally from Sandwell and now lives in Wales, said: "Our involvement with Q3 Academy Great Barr and working with the teaching and support staff to achieve outstanding results has been most rewarding and fulfilling.

"This project is not just about a new school building. It is to give young people an opportunity to acquire knowledge, establish values and pursue excellence. They are then able to contribute fully to society.

"We look forward to opening up opportunities for more students in Sandwell to develop their talents."