Three new Black Country primary schools planned - including in Coseley

Hundreds of pupils could be enrolled at the free schools – which will be supported and led by the Collegiate Academy Trust.

The schools are proposed to be built in Coseley, Willenhall and Darlaston and could be open as soon as September 2018.

They will accompany the new Shireland High Tech Primary, which is also run by the trust, in Smethwick.

Education bosses say that 'a number of sites' are being considered but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Sir Mark Grundy, executive principal of the Collegiate Academy Trust (CAT), said: "Because Shireland does very well in terms of standards, the department came to us and said would you open a free school.

"We are currently beginning to finalise a land deal with the site in Smethwick and because they liked the idea of a primary that works different, the DfE said would you open another three.

"The plans were submitted in October and we will be having an interview with the DfE this week. If granted the schools will be in Willenhall, Darlaston and Coseley."

The proposed builds will be called technology primary's and have state-of-the-art learning equipment.

It would also come a year since Dudley Council bosses approved a phased closure of The Coseley School in Sedgley.

Mr Grundy continued: "Lots of people are desperately concerned for their community following the closure of The Coseley School.

"Coseley has really sparked a lot of interest and support and this has given a bit of hope."

He added: "Within the Dudley area there has been a need to identify additional primary places.

"We are currently in the process of speaking to local people and carrying out a consultation. This could be a catalyst for something great in region."

Councillor Ian Cooper, cabinet member for children's services at Dudley Council, said: "We have been made aware of proposals put forward by the Collegiate Academy Trust to create a new primary school on the site of the Coseley School.

"Although this is a proposal it provides an exciting opportunity for the area.

"We have said from the beginning we would look for a viable future for this site and look for ways of investing in services in Coseley.

"I would stress that these are just proposals at this stage and we will be meeting with them to discuss their plan including its long term viability, pending the decision by the DfE."