Sandwell school lines up extension to bring 250 extra pupil places
Up to 250 much-needed extra places for students could be created at a Sandwell school, if plans are approved to build a new classroom block.
The plans have been submitted to Sandwell Council by George Salter Academy, in Davey Road, West Bromwich.
They include a proposed two-storey teaching block with seven general teaching classrooms, three food technology rooms and a dining hall.
A spokesman for the school confirmed that if the plans for the new teaching block are approved, it will create around an extra 200 to 250 places for students.
It comes as news that the borough’s population is rising putting an increased strain on the system – with Sandwell Council identifying that almost 4,000 new school places are needed in the borough over the next seven years.
A spokesman for George Salter Academy said: “We are proud to deliver high quality education and are excited we are set to expand to take more students meeting the popularity of the academy among local parents.
“The proposal will provide further excellent teaching and other facilities fit for our modern and successful school.”
The George Salter Academy currently has two main blocks – with the original 1930s building being modified and extended to include a kitchen/dining block, a sixth form block, a design and technology block and an English block.
The new building includes the main entrance, offices, the sports hall block, gym, music and drama, and science wing.
A report submitted to the council said: “In order to meet the local authority’s need for secondary school places within the borough, from September 2019 George Salter Academy is to expand.
“A high-level expansion study was commissioned which identified the need for a new teaching block to be built on the site of the previous temporary buildings.”
Sandwell Council's planning committee will make a decision on the plans at a future date.
