Plans to demolish most of Oldbury school for new teaching block
The majority of an ageing Oldbury school is set to be demolished and replaced with a new three-storey block as part of major refurbishment plans.
New plans revealed by the Department for Education would see extensive work carried out to Perryfields Academy in Oldacre Road, Oldbury.
The planning application for the former Perryfields High School said six “unfit for purpose” buildings including the school’s sports hall would be demolished to make way for a new three-story teaching block.
The majority of the old and temporary buildings at the school would be flattened including an unused two-storey block, a modular building, and the school’s gym, dance studio, changing rooms, dining hall and kitchen.
A two-storey teaching block would be the only building to remain on the current site with the new three-storey building built on the school’s existing playing fields.
The new sports and playing fields, including space for grass football pitches and a running track as well as a five-a-side pitches and basketball and netball courts, would then be built on the old school site and car park.
A new car park would replace the school’s former sports hall and outdoor sports courts.
The school’s Oldacre Road entrance would also be widened to allow for two-way access to ease congestion problems.
The application submitted to Sandwell Council said most of the buildings had “come to the end of their serviceable life” and were being primed for demolition.
The school’s existing “clustered” layout was made up of buildings from different time periods which “limited connectivity” and allowed “areas where pupils can be unsupervised by staff and poses safeguarding issues.”
The huge work would provide “safe and clear routes” from the existing school to the new building and “greatly improve safeguarding issues posed by the current layout.”
Demolishing the old buildings would “reduce change over times between lessons” and “allow for a more open landscape and improve site surveillance for the safety of pupils.”
The work to the 1,200-pupil school in Oldacre Road, Oldbury would be completed by 2029 according to the application. It is hoped the new three-storey building would be built by early 2028.
The remaining work – including the new sports fields – is envisioned to be completed by early 2029.
The application by the Department for Education (DfE) said: “A new L-shaped teaching building with an integrated sports hall is proposed in the southwest of the site.
“The building will comprise three-storeys with two separate wings for classrooms.
“A hall, dining area and drama classroom will be located centrally within the building with the sports hall adjoining the end of the eastern wing.
“A pupil reception is positioned on the ground floor, providing a natural entrance point for pupils and staff.
“The internal design will create versatile, multi-use spaces that will facilitate high-quality teaching and learning environments.”
Improvements would also be made to the school entrance.
“Movement to, from and within the site has been given due consideration to maximise the safety and security for all pupils and staff at the school,” the application continues.
“The access point via Oldacre Road will be improved and widened, allowing for two-way vehicle access and improved dedicated pedestrian access.
“The access gates will also be relocated further into the site, reducing congestion at the site entrance.”
A statement included with the application said: “The proposed development will enable the demolition of buildings that are deemed to be of a poor and unsafe condition and the delivery of a high-quality and efficient educational facility to meet the school’s curriculum and recreational requirements.
“The proposed development will deliver an attractive and sustainable new school building, set within well-designed hard and soft landscaped areas that will be multi-functional, as well as delivering a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain on site.”
