Sandwell Council backs £11m expansion plan for schools

The money will be used to create an extra 1,495 places by expanding three existing schools and building a new one, while carrying out refurbishments at others.

Sandwell Council's Cabinet gave the scheme the go-ahead at its latest meeting, where councillor Steve Eling, leader of the council, called it a 'welcome development'.

Sandwell Council has identified that an extra 3,500 places are needed by 2025, due to a rapidly rising population, accelerated over recent years by increased migration and a baby boom.

It forms the latest stage in the local authority's expansion project, which has seen a previous £6.6 million investment in expanding primary schools.

Cllr Eling said: "We need to provide school places for children. The council has invested significant funding in the primary sector, but now there needs to be additional places in secondary schools as kids will be moving up.

"The demand on the secondary sector in the coming years is considerable.

"Our issue is ensuring a significant number of places in secondary schools.

"£10.8 million of spending will be released from capital to deliver the school places.

"Capital funding will be used to create additional school places which will be delivered by the council."

A new secondary school will be built in Kelvin Way, in West Bromwich, to create 750 places.

Meanwhile George Salter Academy, in West Bromwich, will be expanded to create an extra 250 places, Shireland Collegiate Academy, in Smethwick, will be expanded to create an extra 275 places and Wood Green Academy, in Wednesbury, will be expanded to create an extra 220 places.

Elsewhere the RSA Academy, in Tipton, will undergo minor refurbishment works.

The 3,845 places places needed over the next eight years will be funded with £39 million from the Government’s Future Years of Basic Need allocation scheme.

This latest round of funding forms a chunk of that cash pot.

It comes as there are existing proposals to expand the Q3 Academy in Langley, Oldbury, the Ormiston Academy in Tividale and the RSA Academy in Tipton, expected to free up another 1,500 places.

Education chiefs say new places are urgently needed to avoid a shortfall in school places for children.

In January, the council invested in primary schools to create 700 spaces through extending existing schools and building a new one in Smethwick.