Up to three Black Country primary schools could close and be merged into one £10 million ‘super-school’, education chiefs have announced.

Under the plans, a new primary school and special education unit would be built by Tividale Community Arts College in Oldbury, which is set to become an independently-run academy.

The proposals were unveiled as ruling councillors approved plans to formally relinquish control of the struggling high school in Lower City Road, paving the way for it to become Sandwell’s sixth academy this September.

The arts college, which will also get an £10.5m overhaul under the £370m Building Schools for the Future programme, will reopen as a specialist visual and performing arts academy leased and run by sponsor The Ormiston Trust.

Under the agreement with the trust, the council would be allowed to build a brand new primary school accommodating pupils and staff from up to three existing primary schools in the nearby area.

The primary school would cost between £8.5m and £10m and is earmarked to be built by 2012 as part of an education shake-up in the borough.

No job losses are expected from the proposed merger and schools chief Councillor Ian Jones said the plan was to create “something really special” for primary education and community provision in the area.”

“We are not looking at any cuts. This is a building programme and it is an opportunity that only comes along in generations.”

Oldbury primary schools facing closure have not yet been named but consultation on which ones will be affected could start before the end of this school year.

Primary schools in nearby Tividale and Oldbury include Burnt Tree in Hill Road, Rounds Green in Brades Road, Tividale Community in Dudley Road West, St Francis Xavier in McKean Road and St James in Wolverley Crescent.