Sandwell schools close to bursting point as they struggle to meet demand for extra 4,800

Some 4,800 new places need to be created by 2025 but less than half of that total has so far been identified through new schools which are in the pipeline.

And the total of places needed could yet rise, with the estimate having grown from 4,500 since 2014.

Education bosses say there are particular concerns about having enough places for the start of the 2019 school year amid a rising birth rate both locally and nationally.

A report by the council's audit committee said the task has been made more difficult with the collapse of the Building Schools for the Future programme as well as an increase in mid-term entries in recent years due to migration to the borough from abroad.

The report says: "The council faces a significant challenge to provide approximately 4,800 additional secondary places by 2025."

An additional 4,800 secondary places will need to be provided over the next decade to meet demand following a baby boom and surge in migration.

The question on everyone's lips is: how will this be achieved?

The challenge should not be underestimated.

It is akin to building five huge schools of 1,000 pupils each or embarking on major extension plans across the borough.

We know that neither the Government nor the local council has the money – so what is going to happen?

And there are further pressing questions that will need addressing.

Building or extending schools will not be enough.

It is reasonable to expect that the local population will continue to increase for the foreseeable future so if we think the problem is big now just what will we be faced with in 15 or 20 years time?

Planning for the future is essential to get the correct infrastructure in place to meet the demand for schools, doctors' surgeries, and hospitals.

It is already extremely difficult to get a doctor's appointment and the pressures on the NHS and hospitals is well documented.

One of the consequences of an open borders policy with the European Union is that it is virtually impossible to predict how many people will migrate here and start families.

It is not racist or xenophobic to point out the logistical and practical challenges this poses.

It is something that needs addressing in some way or form.

And if this is the situation in Sandwell, we suspect it is a similar case in Walsall, Dudley and Wolverhampton.

And it is not just a problem with buildings' capacity.

Another pertinent question to ask is: where are the extra teachers needed in Sandwell going to come from?

The borough finished seventh bottom in the national rankings according to results released yesterday – hardly an attractive proposition when they could opt for top-to-middle performing school in the leafy suburbs.

This is a pressing issue.

A solution needs to be found as soon as possible.

There is one new secondary school in Sandwell already on the way – the first in 10 years.

But over the next decade this extra capacity will be just a drop in the ocean.

Chiefs are also concerned about a lack of suitable sites in Sandwell to build new schools.

Sandwell lost out on £138 million when the Building Schools for the Future scheme was axed in 2010. Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury, The Meadows School in Oldbury, Heathfield Foundation Technology College in Cradley Heath, Phoenix Collegiate Academy at the former Manor and Menzies sites, Perryfields and Bristnall Hall schools, Stuart Bathurst and The Bridge pupil referral unit all lost out when the multi-million pound school rebuilding and revamping scheme in the borough was axed.

Since 2010, 22 primary schools in the borough have been expanded with an extra 750 reception places created.

A firmer focus in now being placed on secondary schools. In September, plans to create Sandwell's first new secondary school in 10 years were given the go-ahead.

Around 120 Year 7 pupils will start at the Q3 Academy in Langley from next September. By 2023 the academy school, being built off Moat Road, will have a total of 1,500 pupils enrolled.

Similar projects will have to be launched if the council is to meet its target over the coming years, the report says.

Councillor Simon Hackett, children's services boss at Sandwell Council, said: "We are aware of the challenges Sandwell schools will be facing in the next 10 years and we are working on a programme to help us meet these demands across Sandwell.

"We have already provided over 4,400 new primary places over the last five years and we have an excellent record of providing these in good or outstanding schools. This has enabled us to offer almost 90 per cent of primary parents their first preferences.

"We also preparing for increased demand in our secondary schools as higher numbers from the primary sector move up. The programme will support us in achieving this"