School set for major expansion
A Willenhall junior school could increase its size by 50 per cent if expansion plans are given the green light.
Short Heath Junior School, in Pennine Way is looking to create an extension to its existing building that will house four new classrooms, a hygiene room and two toilets, as well as a new vehicle access point.
This would enable the pupil numbers to increase by 120 by the year 2024 with 30 extra children joining the school each year.
The application is currently being considered by Walsall Council planners, who are expected to make a decision next month.
In the application, planning agent Baily Garner said there was a need to create more school spaces in the area.
They said: “Short Heath Junior School currently caters for pupils between the ages of seven and 11. The school is currently two-form entry and has a capacity for 240 pupils.
“The local authority has reviewed and identified the specific need to develop necessary local and area-wide places to satisfy demand and thereby allow (it) to meet its statutory duties.
“Short Heath will increase its PAN by 30 pupils each year from September 2021 until 2024. This means the schools pupil numbers will have increased by 120, taking the school’s capacity to 360.
“The proposal looks to provide teaching classrooms for these pupils in a permanent new build extension to an existing stand alone unit.
“The proposal seeks avoiding negative impact on neighbouring properties. The application is a carefully considered, high quality scheme tailored to its location and to meet the school’s requirements.”
