New sports centre planned for ‘outstanding’ Bilston school
A leading secondary school has unveiled plans to demolish its existing sports hall and build a modern new facility.
Moseley Park in Holland Road – formed after a merger with Etheridge Secondary which was attended by Slade drummer Don Powell – has submitted an application to Wolverhampton Council to erect a new two-storey sports block before bulldozing the current hall.
The school – rated outstanding by Ofsted – is also looking to install additional hard sports courts and extend its car park. The planning application, made by executive headteacher Georgetta Holloway, will be decided at a later date.
A statement from Jonathan Astley of Stourbridge-based designers and architects Astley Partnerships, acting on behalf of the academy, said: “Moseley Park is a popular school. However, the indoor sports facilities are very tired and not up to current Sport England design standards.
“The school is very much blessed with external sports provisions, having quality outdoor grass pitches suitable for football, rugby and cricket – as well as an abundance of outdoor hard courts used for netball, tennis, basketball and football among others.
“It is made up of a variety of different style buildings, roughly located around a central courtyard and a main hall with an open plan dining area. This part of the school recently underwent remodelling to create a more aesthetic main entrance. Our aim is to match the new sports centre with this design, creating a modern building with a sporty and robust feel that will inspire those who use it.
“The new sports centre will sit in the heart of the school’s sports department, with the changing rooms being a lot closer to the grass playing pitches than the existing ones,” he added.
“Once the new sports centre has been completed, demolition of the existing sports hall will provide an opportunity to revamp the current car park and extend it to maximise parking space. Due to educational links with Heath Park School, there are minibuses which shuttle between the schools and so adequate parking for those has been allowed for.
“The school currently only has two disabled parking spaces and the revamped car park will incorporate seven disabled spaces. Two spaces will be created for electric vehicle charging points with capacity for further additions in future.”
In a statement on the school’s website, Mrs Holloway said: “Whilst academic achievements are an important part of life at Moseley Park, students enjoy a diverse range of additional opportunities. A hugely popular extracurricular sport programme, music and drama, complement a wide range of trips and visits.”
Run by the Central Learning Partnership Trust (CLPT), the school was built in 1959 and started life as Bilston Grammar, before merging with Etheridge Secondary School in 1975 to become Moseley Park Comprehensive.
Other notable pupils include actor David Daker, who appeared in Boon, one-time Jethro Tull keyboard player Dee Palmer (formerly David Palmer) and ex-Plymouth, Crewe, Swansea and Aston Villa goalkeeper Geoff Crudgington.
