Opening date revealed for new primary facility on site of demolished Coseley School

The secondary school, off Henne Drive in Coseley, shut its doors in July 2017 in a controversial decision by Dudley Council due to dwindling numbers and poor performance.

Workers recently broke ground at the site to make way for a new school, Coseley Technology Primary, which will be led by Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust.

The trust runs a number of schools in the Black Country including Thorns Collegiate Academy in Brierley Hill, West Bromwich Collegiate Academy and Holyhead Primary Academy in Wednesbury.

A spokeswoman for the trust said the new school is due to be open in time for the first intake of pupils in September 2025 and will offer "state-of-the-art" facilities.

She said: "Coseley Technology Primary aspires to offer pupils a whole education that goes beyond academic subjects.

"A Shireland education provides a supportive and inclusive environment where children can thrive, be safe, happy and have ambitious goals for themselves while being respectful of others.

"We are proud to offer state-of-the-art facilities designed to support academic and personal growth.

"These include extensive sports facilities with outdoor pitches, dedicated classrooms for nursery and reception including SEND spaces, practical rooms for science and technology-based lessons, forest school and an immersive room featuring virtual reality and interactive displays to enhance learning."

It has also been revealed that some of the former Coseley School will be retained in the plans for the new primary school, including the main school building.

The spokeswoman added: "The main school building is being retained as well as the changing room facilities for the grass pitches and artificial field."

A large mound of rubble could be seen at the site last month where workers had begun to demolish other parts of the building to make way for the school.

As part of the plans, a nursery will be created at the school with spaces for 52 children aged between three and four.

The Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust spokeswoman said: "[The nursery] will be run by experienced and highly qualified staff, providing a safe and stimulating environment which supports children to learn and develop through a play-based curriculum while also preparing them for their transition into Reception.

"The capacity for each year group will be 60, starting off with just Reception and building each year as pupils progress through the school."

When plans were first put forward to shut the former Coseley School in 2016, it was met with uproar from parents, with around 1,500 people signing a petition against its closure.

A group of parents and youngsters armed with banners also staged a protest on the steps of Dudley Council House.