Primary plan for 200 extra school places in Wolverhampton
Almost 200 extra places for pupils are set to be created at a Wolverhampton primary school following a baby boom in the north of the city.
Education bosses have already increased the number of spaces at Northwood Park Primary School in Bushbury as part of a £3 million expansion programme in a bid to meet rising demand. But they are now launching a new consultation into plans to increase the number of places even further, from the current figure of 435, up to 630.
If the move goes ahead more than £300,000 would be invested into improvements at the school including additional toilet and dining facilities.
Figures released by the council show that in Bushbury north, Bushbury south and Low Hill and Fallings Park the number of births have risen from 507 in 2004 to 660 in 2011.
The number of reception class students at Northwood Park was increased from 60 to 75 in September.
If the expansion goes ahead the reception admission number would increase to 90 next September with admission numbers in other year groups being steadily increased until all year groups had an admission limit of 90 by 2019.
Surplus accommodation at the school has already been converted into additional teaching areas as part of the current expansion programme.
City council cabinet chiefs will meet to discuss the move on January 3. If the consultation gets the go-ah-ead it will be launched early in the new year. A final decision would be made by April.
Across the city there are currently 3,185 reception places in Wolverhampton, and there are 3,114 youngsters in classes this year. That is expected to drop to 3,081 in 2013/ 2014 before predictions show levels jumping to 3,175 the following year and reaching 3,344 by 2015/16. Bosses are now carrying out a review of capacity in city schools.
