Schools face change to catchment areas
School catchment areas in parts of South Staffordshire could be redrawn as part of a shake-up of the education system.
School catchment areas in parts of South Staffordshire could be redrawn as part of a shake-up of the education system.
Staffordshire County Council wants to close Bilbrook CofE Middle School because of falling pupil numbers.
It also wants to change catchment areas in Perton and Codsall. A six-week formal consultation into the recommended closure and school boundary revisions begins on June 7. Education bosses want Codsall's catchment area to be extended to include Bilbrook's catchment area.
They also want the catchment area for Pattingham pupils to be changed, enabling pupils to transfer to Perton Middle rather than Codsall Middle.
The proposed closure would not change admissions to first schools or to high schools.
Meanwhile, further details have emerged over the possible closure of Bilbrook Middle next August and what will happen to its existing pupils.
Youngsters in Years 5, 6 and 7 will be sent to Codsall Middle, although parents will be able to chose other schools if there are places available.
If there are no places at Codsall, pupils will be sent to nearby schools in the county.
Youngsters moving up to middle school will be sent to Codsall Middle or Perton Middle. In the event of Bilbrook Middle closing, Lane Green First School, which shares the same site and has adjoining buildings, could move into the existing middle school buildings.
The works at Lane Green First and Codsall Middle to accommodate pupils from Bilbrook Middle is likely to cost the council at least £1.2million, although no funding is in place for this.
In a report to the cabinet, Councillor Liz Staples, cabinet member for education and skills, said: "While numbers of children are increasing in Burton, the opposite is the case in South Staffordshire.
"Schools in the area have acknowledged that falling pupil numbers means there are not enough young people to maintain three viable and vibrant middle schools in Codsall and Perton.
"We have therefore begun consultation on the closure of Bilbrook CofE Middle School."
The consultation period runs until July 18.
