More pupils for 'special measures' failing school 'bonkers' idea

The borough council is considering introducing a new entry form at troubled Kings Hill Primary School in Darlaston even though it was graded as 'inadequate' by Ofsted in 2013 and has failed to improve substantially since.

It comes despite the fact the authority refused an application to expand from Old Church Primary nearby.

Labour Councillor Doug James branded the idea 'bonkers'.

He said: "The decision to reject 'good' schools' requests for more school places, despite huge local demand, de-values the work of headteachers, teachers, and ignores parents aspirations for their children.

"Walsall Council have ignored both the local and national policy where education authorities are asked to raise standards and, have more young people given the opportunity to attend 'good' schools."

The Darlaston South Councillor confirmed parents at Old Church had launched a petition to urge the council to have a rethink.

He said 300 people had signed it so far but they were aiming for 1,500 to force a full council debate on the matter.

Councillor James added: "It is never acceptable to accept lower standards at 'inadequate' listed primary schools when we have 'good' schools providing a better start in life for our young people who wish to offer that same opportunity to more local children, who want that Schools places but, have been placed on ever increasing waiting lists."

Kings Hill Primary has been subject to several follow-up Ofsted's visit since 2013.

In February inspector Morag Kophhamel stated the school was making 'reasonable progress' towards heading out of special measures.

In response Councillor Christopher Towe, responsible for schools, said: "Walsall Council operates a robust annual process to assess and predict the need for school places across the borough.

"The proposal to enlarge Kings Hill School is subject to an ongoing consultation process the outcome of which will be reported to Cabinet who will then make the final decision on the expansion proposal."

Deputy councillor leader Adrian Andrew, who oversees infrastructure and development in the town, added: "There is a finite budget allocated by the DfE with which the council needs to meet its statutory requirements while ensuring it gets best value for money."