School to take over former Wolverhampton Tarmac site
The former Tarmac site in Wolverhampton is to be turned into a school for 16 to 19 year olds with special educational needs.
A letter seen by the Express & Star from education minister Lord Nash reveals the Millfields Road site will be run by Central Learning Partnership Trust, which runs Heath Park School.
The Ettingshall site had employed 500 but that is now thought to have fallen to around 100 working at former Tarmac laboratories, concrete and recycling operations.
It began to be wound down in 2012 following the merger of Tarmac and French company LaFarge's Solihull operations.
Tarmac has been part of Wolverhampton since the early 1900s when it was formed as the Tarmacadam Syndicate.
The business is changing hands again in a £5 billion international deal but the school plan brings hope for the site to be put to good use.
In a letter to Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden, Lord Nash said: "I am pleased to confirm that the Secretary of State has agreed to enter into a funding agreement with Central Learning Partnership Trust in relation to Wolverhampton Vocational Training Centre.
"The free school will be a 50 place special free school for pupils aged 16 to 19 years.
"The school will be permanently located at the former Tarmac premises at Millfields Road and will open in September 2015 with a maximum of 25 pupils.
"Free schools form an integral part of the government's education policy to improve choice and drive up standards in schools.
"I am therefore delighted that Wolverhampton Vocational Training Centre will open this September, bringing new opportunities for young people."
Mr McFadden said: "I'd like to find out more about what is planned but Heath Park has a good reputation.
"It was very bad news when Tarmac announced it would be winding down its headquarters so whatever happens, I'm hoping that positive uses can be found for the building."
Stuart Wykes, director of land and natural resources at Lafarge Tarmac said: "Our aim has always been to ensure that the Ettingshall site has a future that delivers long-term, lasting community benefits. We are currently in discussions with a number of parties and will provide an update in due course."
From 2016 the school will also feature a residential centre which will be staffed 24 hours a day by support workers who will assist students to live independently by teaching them household chores like cooking meals and washing clothes.
The school will work in partnership with Westcroft Sport and Vocational College, based in Greenacres Avenue. Staff at Westcroft, which is rated 'good' by Ofsted, will assist WVTC with curriculum development and provide expert knowledge regarding special educational needs.
The trust was not available for comment.
But Helen Andrioli, WVTC project leader, has previously said: "We aim to fill a gap in Wolverhampton, offering young adults with special educational needs the next step to their future.
"WVTC is a bespoke provision that doesn't currently exist anywhere in the UK, and will be personalised for the ever-changing needs of our students.
Other free schools in Wolverhampton are Nishkam Primary School in Great Brickkiln Street while The Royal School is converting from a private school to a free school in September.
Free schools are non-profit-making, independent, state-funded school that are free to attend but not controlled by a local authority.
