New Sandwell primary and expanded secondary will create hundreds of new school places
Hundreds of school places have been created in Sandwell after council chiefs backed plans for a new primary and expansion of a secondary school in the borough.
The primary school in Smethwick will create 420 new places while plans to make Q3 Academy in Oldbury bigger will also create capacity for hundreds more students.
The primary is planned for part of the existing Shireland Collegiate Academy site and nearby land in Wilson Road.
Bosses said it will eventually house 420 pupils and 'ensure the demand for extra school places is met'.
Estimated costs for the 'state-of-the-art' school are likely to be around £4.5million and it is set to open in September next year (2019).
Sandwell Council was approached by the Government to build the primary school and will work on behalf of the Education, Skills and Funding Agency with the Collegiate Academy Trust who already run Shireland Collegiate Academy in Smethwick, rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted.
Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services said: "It's great the Department for Education has acknowledged what a great job we do in Sandwell in providing new schools.
"We are looking forward to working with Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust to deliver this new primary school.
"It's a tough job to keep up with the rising demand for school places but we have a proven track record and last year 94 per cent of parents got one of their top choices for primary schools.”
Further expansion plans at Q3 Academy have seen £1.7m set aside by the authority for the second phase of work at the school.
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A council report says: "Phase two enabling works are now planned to undertake external groundworks and foundations, construct the steel framework and install concrete floor planks in readiness for the main phase two programme.
"The enabling works are being brought forward to ensure that the steel frame and concrete floor planks can safely be installed during the school summer break in July and August (2018).
"In addition the Academy Trust sponsor, Q3 Academies Trust, has approached the authority to make a further contribution towards the overall scheme to provide a four classroom stand-alone block to support delivery of the academy’s PE curriculum."
Q3 Academy Langley, built on the former Langley High School site on Moat Road in Oldbury, opened its doors to the first pupils in September 2016.
Plans to add classrooms to the new school were recently approved and work continues on-site.
Currently the school has nearly 400 students in years seven and eight and will eventually accommodate 1,500 students.
The school is sponsored by Eric Payne, who also sponsors the Q3 Academy in Great Barr.
He said: “We are delighted to be working with Sandwell Council in the on-going development of the facilities, and teaching and learning spaces at Q3 Langley.
“This will provide great opportunity for aspiration and achievement for the young people of Sandwell.”
