Wednesbury primary school expansion welcomed by MP

A Black Country MP has welcomed the expansion of a primary school – saying it will benefit children 'for years to come'.

MP Tom Watson at the Priory Primary school in Wednesbury

West Bromwich East MP and deputy leader of the Labour party Tom Watson made the comments as he paid a visit to Priory Primary school in Wednesbury.

The Dorset Road-based site is adding a new classroom block to create 210 extra spaces – doubling the school's overall capacity.

Mr Watson said: "Parents in Wednesbury are crying out for more good school places for their children, and this exciting development will create just that.

"This is an important investment by Sandwell Council and local kids will feel the benefits of these new facilities for years to come.”

The extension is being carried out by Portakabin

The new extension has been built by modular construction company Portakabin.

It features six new classrooms, a specialist classroom, a dance studio and a staff room.

The school capacity will increase from 210 to 420, bosses said.

School headteacher Phillip Butcher said: "The new building will be a great addition to the Priory Primary. I'm looking forward to seeing it finished and ready for the new term in September."

An artist's impression of how the finished extension will look

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services, has also visited the site of the new building.

He said: “We need more school places to meet high demand.

"We want as many parents as possible to be able to get their child into their first choice of school.

“Over the past six years, we have created more than 4,400 new primary places. We have an excellent record of providing these in good or outstanding schools.

Andrew Simpkin, head of project delivery at Portakabin, added: “Being able to provide this additional learning space for a growing school is an honour for our team.

"The new school building will be modern and give plenty of natural light to aid pupils’ learning.”