Expansion plan for eight Wolverhampton schools
Eight schools in Wolverhampton are set to expand as part of a £34 million council plan to meet a growing demand for places.
Under new proposals Loxdale Primary, Spring Vale Primary and Stowlawn Primary will become two-form entry from reception next September.
Bosses also hope five secondary schools – which are all academies – will increase pupil numbers as part of the expansion programme.
Cabinet member Claire Darke said the authority 'needed some new places' as demand is increasing.
As well as becoming two-form entry at the start of the next academic year, Loxdale would also move to the Bilston Urban Village site from 2019-20, according to a council report.
Councillor Darke, cabinet member for education, said: "Wolverhampton is a regenerating city and we're thriving – lots of people want to come and live here and educate their children here.
"That's good news for the city. But we need to make sure we have enough spaces for all pupils.
"[Demand] is always fluctuating, but the trend is upwards. At the moment we're heading for a peak so we need some new places."
A consultation process on the primary expansion schemes runs until October 15, with a final decision due to be made at the end of November.
Among the secondaries due to expand are Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy, St Peter's Collegiate and Aldersley High.
The other two schools have not been named.
A report due to be heard by a full council meeting tonight (weds) says: "Loxdale Primary School is a community primary school located within the Bilston East ward.
"To cater effectively for projected demand, it is proposed that Loxdale Primary School is permanently expanded to two-form entry and relocated onto the Bilston Urban Village site.
"It is proposed that with effect from September 2018, the school’s reception admission limit is increased to 60.
"Given practical constraints it is envisaged that for the 2018-19 academic year that the school would continue be housed on the existing site with a transfer to the new site anticipated in 2019-20."
The report also suggests both Spring Vale and Stowlawn, which are currently one-form entry and have 30 new places each year, become two-form and take 60 pupils from September 2018.
