New Smethwick primary school on track for summer completion

The first new primary school to open in Sandwell in 40 years is on track for completion this summer.

Back Myles Crabtree from Speller Metcalfe, Lady Kirsty Grundy, Sir Mark Grundy with Sienna, Sophia, Leo and Miguel at the front

Shireland Technology Primary pupils got the chance to have a first look at their new school when they visited the building site in Smethwick.

Before their visit, the children took part in a special assembly about building site safety, which included a visit from site manager for Speller Metcalfe, Myles Crabtree, and Buzz Site Gear, Speller Metcalfe's safety mascot. The children were then accompanied to the site by Shireland Techonology Primary principal, Lady Kirsty Grundy and Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust chief executive officer, Sir Mark Grundy.

Mr Crabtree said: "We are delighted to have been a part of this fantastic project for Shireland Technology Primary, which will be a real positive for local residents who will be able to take advantage of a greater number of school places available locally.

“The construction itself has also contributed positively to the local area by providing employment opportunities for businesses from around Smethwick and the wider West Midlands."

Myles Crabtree from Speller Metcalfe with Buzz Site Gear with Ritvik, Fadia, Joshua James, Haniyyah, Zacheri, Lady Kirsty Grundy and Claire Keeler

The primary school is currently housed in another new building on the Shireland Collegiate Academy high school site. Pupils will start the next school year in their new purpose-built primary school, which is currently under construction on the same site as the academy on Waterloo Road.

The school is on track for completion in August.

Lady Grundy added: "The children and staff were so excited to be able to visit the site to see the development of our new school. The constructors have been amazing and we can’t believe how quickly the building is progressing.

"We can see our vision and plans of a very different and innovative school coming to life on a day to day basis."

Plans for the new building will uniquely include a roof top play area for children, dedicated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning zone and an immersive room where surround projection fully immerses children into different worlds and times.

Once complete the new school will specialise in technology and will take on an additional 60 pupils this September and once at full capacity will have 420 pupils in attendance by the year 2025.