£6.5m college bid is rejected

Ambitious plans to build a £6.5 million college for 300 students on the site of one of Dudley's top performing schools have been scuppered.

Governors at Windsor High School, Halesowen, said the college would stop its students from having to travel elsewhere to continue their education and funding was already in place.

New science labs would be built as well as a sports performance centre available for use to universities and the community.

Consultation in June and July last year involved students, parents, schools (primary and secondary), showed 98 per cent of those responding backed the plan.

After education director John Freeman expressed "serious concerns" about plans, Dudley Council cabinet member Liz Walker decided to halt plans for the school in Richmond Street.

In a report to her, Mr Freeman said there was already enough college provision in the borough.

He said academically-successful King Edward VI College, Stourbridge, and the vocational courses at Halesowen College made them attractive options.

Falling pupil numbers made him doubt if Windsor would be able to fill all 300 places. By 2015 it is predicted around a quarter of school places in Halesowen will not be taken up due to falling birth rates.

Councillor Walker said confirmed she decided to follow the recommendation and therefore the proposals have been refused.