Walsall school's expansion plan approved
School leaders say more children in a deprived part of the Black Country will have the chance to succeed after expansion plans were approved.
Christ Church CE Primary in Leamore, Walsall, will have a new extension built on its grounds that will allow pupil numbers to increase by around 120 over the coming years.
Eight new staff members will also be hired at the school on Harden Road, adding to the current team of 37.
This is the latest development at the school, which opened a new building in 2011 following the demolition of the original 1970s facility.
The extension to the school, which currently has 354 children on its books, will include five new classrooms, a group room, toilets and storage facilities.
Councillor Lee Jeavons, the chair of governors, said: “We’re obviously pleased and immensely proud that Christ Church has been given the opportunity to expand.
“It’s a testament to the hard work put in by the whole of the Christ Church family – staff, pupils, senior leadership and parents – that our status as a good school is recognised and we’ve been given the opportunity to provide educational opportunities for the children of Leamore.
“This is a deprived area and not the easiest to grow up in but our parents are as much a part of the school as the staff and the children.
“They are a really important part of what we do. If it wasn’t for their support, this sort of thing wouldn’t happen.
“It’s a Church of England school, people understand the ethos of the school, treat each other with respect and learn.
“We value the children. We’re not just there to educate them, we’re there to create whole people that are ready for secondary school and the rest of their lives.
“It will be a gradual expansion. Clearly the extra spaces are required and so pleased Christ Church was chosen because I do believe we need it here.
“I’m biased as chair of Governors but I believe this establishment provides a really good foundation for our young people to move on secondary.
"Managing the project will be a challenge but we’ve had to manage a lot of challenges this year with Covid and all of the staff have pitched in.
“It’s another different challenge for the staff which I know they are up for.”
