Extra classroom approved as pupil numbers surge

Plans to build an extra classroom at a primary school in Wolverhampton have been approved to help meet an increased demand for places.

The new modular building will be built at Bilston CofE Primary School, providing space for a "bulge" class of 30 pupils.

City of Wolverhampton Council provided £600,000 for the project to go ahead.

It will be used for Year 5 pupils, as the local authority looks to meet demand in the south east of the city.

A council report from August stated that the school was selected as a prime location for an extension because it was over subscribed, and was "very popular as a parental preference".

Places for Year 5 are in particular need in the 2024-25 academic year due to the lack of capacity in the current Year 4 group.

The report stated there was a "real risk" that enough good quality school places in the local area may not be provided.

It added that the temporary building will be located at the school for an initial two years.

In an access statement provided with the planning application, the council said the classroom would have to occupy part of the playground, due to the "number of mine shafts in the locality" making other areas unsuitable.

Funds for the project will come out of a £7.6m pot set aside for school expansions in the city.

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