Walls going up on new Wolverhampton technology learning centre on site of former primary school
The construction of a new technology learning centre on the site of a 112-year-old former Wolverhampton primary school that was demolished is now progressing.
Historic Edward the Elder, in Lichfield Road, Wednesfield, was bulldozed in June last year to make way for the planned Wednesfield Technology Primary School.
Councillor Chris Burden, Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and education, said: “As ever, it’s our priority to have high quality school places in the areas people want them and the areas people need them.
“Wednesfield is a popular area with our residents, and with new homes having been built there, we need to ensure the future supply to ensure that all children there can get the best start in life.”
In a report to council bosses, Tom Hallett, acting on behalf of Birmingham-based developers Tilbury Douglas Construction Ltd, said: “The site has been in educational use for over 100 years, although the school had been left empty and in a derelict state since 2007.
“The new school will be a member of the Shireland Academy Trust, who already operate several schools in the West Midlands. It has been designed to inspire new ways of teaching, offering a specialised technology-based curriculum.
“This development will deliver a range of benefits and has already created new jobs during the current construction phase. The future occupation of the school will also bring about up to 45 full and part-time positions.
“The retention of the former lodge building in the grounds will maintain an important link to the history of the site and will be used by the school as a family hub. Additional landscape planting to enhance the site will also provide diversity and ecology value,” he added.
“And of course this sees the redevelopment of a long-standing vacant brownfield site within a sustainable location ideally placed to serve the growing needs of the community. The parking layout has been reconfigured to allow for a one-way circulation of cars around the parking area, along with the provision of a dedicated drop off and collection point.
“This will enable cars queuing to drop-off and pick-up in a very orderly manner within the site – and at peak times. The number of parking spaces has also been increased and CCTV will be installed. Financial contributions in the form of a pedestrian crossing and the reinstatement of the ‘keep clear’ markings outside the school will also be added.”
The new building will incorporate a two-storey block with a single level for the hall and kitchen. The design is Passivhaus – meaning it will achieve a very high level of energy efficiency.
Although not listed, the landmark former structure – previously one of the city’s oldest school buildings – dated back to 1910. The original date stone has been carefully preserved and stored on the site and will be repositioned adjacent to the new entrance. The facility will provide teaching spaces for 26 nursery children, 60 reception, 120 key stage 1 and 240 key stage 2.
