£6m rebuild for school

A struggling Kidderminster primary school will be demolished and rebuilt at a cost of £6million, it has been announced.

The scheme will provide new accommodation for Birchen Coppice Primary School, as well as community facilities – a cafe and office space.

Work has already started on the building project, which is one of several following a review of education in Wyre Forest, which saw the system change from three to two-tier in 2007.

The former Birchen Coppice Middle School was bulldozed in 2008. The new school, is being built on this site. The primary school was formed two years ago and is currently temporarily housed within the former first school.

Along with the accommodation for pupils and staff the building will have a community cafe, parent and interview rooms, rentable office spaces and studio space for meetings.

In the grounds of the school which is close to the football pitch and multi-use games area, there will be also be a permanent Community Police Unit.

It will be ready for pupils in September 2010. After this date the former first school will be knocked down

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Marcus Hart said: "These are really exciting times for everyone involved with Birchen Coppice Primary.

"This new building is being developed by the County Council to help raise standards at the school. It will provide modern, environmentally-friendly accommodation, as well as offering a host of facilities that we hope will make it a real focal point."

Birchen Coppice Primary School was ranked among the 200 worst performing primary schools in the country in this year's league tables.