'Bonkers' plans to expand struggling Wednesbury primary school

Plans to expand a primary school that has been in special measures since 2013 have been labelled 'bonkers'.

Walsall Council has recently placed Kings Hill Primary School, Wednesbury, on a list for potential expansion, meaning it could be set to welcome more pupils, despite being in special measures since an Ofsted inspection in 2013.

Councillor Doug James, who represents Darlaston North, called the decision 'bonkers' and claimed expanding schools with a better reputation would benefit the borough more.

The outburst comes after it emerged standards in Walsall's primary schools are among the worst in the country.

Ofsted's annual report revealed the borough slumped to 143rd place out of 150 local authorities for youngsters attending good or outstanding primary schools.

It was also revealed on that primary schools in Walsall are posting some of the worst test scores in the country, ranking joint 142nd out of 152 local authorities.

He said: "Walsall Council has listed Kings Hill Primary School for consideration of a 'new form entry' over several other local schools that Ofsted classify as good.

"How is it acceptable to consider all the relevant policies and procedures yet still come up with the wrong answer?

"Darlaston's Old Church Primary School recently submitted an application to become a 'double Form entry' school and had their application rejected.

"The decision to reject requests of schools with a 'Good' rating for more school places, despite huge local demand, de-values the work of headteachers, teachers, and ignores parents aspirations for their children.

"Local parents and our young people deserve to have the best school places available to them.

"This is not happening in Darlaston as a result of unfair and unreasonable decisions by Walsall Council's Education leader.

"It is a bonkers decision, you couldn't make it up."

Walsall Council education boss Councillor Chris Towe said: "Walsall Council operates a robust annual process to assess and predict the need for school places across the borough.

"There is a finite budget allocated by the Department for Education with which the council needs to meet its statutory requirements while ensuring it gets best value for money.

"The proposal to enlarge Kings Hill School is subject to an ongoing consultation process the outcome of which will be reported to Cabinet who will then make the final decision on the expansion proposal."