'Bonkers' expansion of four Walsall schools approved
The proposed expansion of four primary schools in the Walsall borough, including two in Willenhall, has been given the green light by a scrutiny committee.
A decision had already been passed by the council's cabinet to expand the schools, but Councillor Doug James had the decision called in for extra scrutiny, describing it as 'bonkers'.
However an education scrutiny committee has upheld the original decision, and it was waved through for a second time by cabinet on Wednesday.
Under the plans, Beacon Primary School in Willenhall, Greenfield Primary School in Shelfield, King's Hill Primary School in Darlaston and St Giles in Willenhall will all see the size of their reception classes boosted.
Councillor Chris Towe, Walsall's education boss, said: "The original agreement was upheld. We made our decision and now that has been reaffirmed. We will deal with the Darlaston issue separately.
"I was disappointed that Councillor James did not come directly to me as the portfolio holder with his concerns."
Councillor James had raised his concerns over the decision making process as King's Hill Primary in Darlaston was in special measures at the time of its selection for expansion.
But Councillor Towe said the idea of the expansion was for looking towards the future.
He added: "We can't make our decision based on an Ofsted report. A school might be rated good by Ofsted one minute and then placed into special measures the next."
Classes at Beacon would increase from 45 pupils to 60, Greenfield from 30 to 45, King's Hill from 45 to 60 and St Giles from 45 to 60.
Despite scrutiny upholding the original decision, Councillor James has still lashed out at the council, saying that by choosing a failing school they were giving the message that 'any school will do'.
He said: "By failing to allocate new places at a local Darlaston Primary school with a strong and consistent record of achievement, categorised as 'Good' by Ofsted, Walsall Council has, in effect, decided that any school will do for our Darlaston children.
"The work of Darlaston Headteachers and, staff to establish 'Good' schools has been undermined. Darlaston schools must now look to attracting new funding to develop their own plans. A Council Administration that fails to prioritise finite investment in extending new places in Darlaston schools has missed a precious opportunity to invest in the best local schools for our young children."
