Parents' fury as work delays start of term at Coseley school

The summer break will be extended by one week at Manor Primary School in Coseley, pushing back the term start date from September 7 to September 14.

The work is to build new classrooms at the school in order to increase the pupil intake. It is the first phase of a project that will see the school's capacity rise to 630 by 2021.

The school, in Ettingshall Road, said the delay was 'completely out of our control'.

Headteacher Anita Cliff said: "Unfortunately the building work to increase classrooms ready for our increase in standard number in September is not going to be finished for the start of term.

"Builders have worked late into the evenings and weekends to try and complete the job. We are very sorry that we are going to have to delay the start of term for our children.

"Our new nursery and reception children will be contacted by Early Years staff next week with their child's new starting school date as these children start in small groups."

A parent from Bilston, who has a son and a daughter at the school, said: "I am very disappointed and disheartened by the text I received at the eleventh hour informing me that the school is to be closed for another week.

"I am a working parent and no provision has been made for childcare. I would be interested to know what would happen if I took my children out for a week."

Another parent, who asked not to be named, said he was annoyed his son's education was going to be disrupted.

He said: "There was a strong feeling that it wasn't the best thing for the school but obviously it all went through the council.

"A few years ago it was 45 to 60 per year entry, now it is going up to 90 and there is a feeling it is going to be difficult to preserve what is so special about the school if it is much bigger.

"It was the fact we were told there would be no disruption. I've got things to sort out for my son, it is just the upheaval it causes more than anything."

Claire Drake, cabinet member for education at Wolverhampton City Council, said: "Unfortunately, unavoidable supply chain delays have meant that this particular programme is running a few days behind schedule and it has therefore been necessary to delay the opening of the school for the new term.

"We apologise for the inevitable inconvenience this will cause. Parents have been advised of the delay at the earliest opportunity."

Pity then, the ones of children who attend Manor Primary School in Coseley, where building work will delay the start of term.

While some mothers and fathers would simply be glad to return to the relative harmony of a child-free house a few hours a day, there is a more serious issue. Having the children at home for the holidays costs money.

Someone has to look after them.

Working parents will end up forking out for child-minding they would not normally need. Those who have budgeted for activities will find their pay packets stretched even further.

Then there is the impact on the children's education.

During term time, a request to take a child away on holiday can be met with the threat of a fine and a stern warning about how precious every school day is.

Teachers at the school understand this but there is simply nothing they can do.

They cannot allow children to come in to what remains a building site.

All this, of course, is irrelevant to the youngsters themselves.