A new multi-million pound secondary school could be built in Darlaston to replace the existing building under plans being drawn up by education bosses.
Darlaston Science College’s head Stephen Casey is one of the driving forces behind the campaign which could see the school rebuilt on the same site or an alternative location found. Meetings have taken place between Mr Casey, governors, Education Walsall and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
However, no timescale has been set. Financial backing for the scheme would be sought from the Government’s Building Schools for the Future project. The Government has stated it is looking to rebuild or refurbish half of all the country’s secondary schools.
Avril Walton, spokeswoman for Education Walsall, said: “Meetings have taken place about the possibility of seeking funding for a new school building. It is on the drawing board, and further discussions will take place over the next few months.”
The Herberts Park Road school has 1,100 pupils aged between 11 and 18 and it is thought any new building would be able to take around the same number of students.
Like several primary and secondary schools in the borough, there are a number of problems with the existing building and facilities which education chiefs say need to be addressed. They include the closure of the school’s swimming pool since February on health and safety grounds because of significant structural concerns about the building and the condition of the pool.
It is estimated that repairs will cost at least £290,000 but no date has been set for the work to be carried out.
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