'It reflects high aspirations for every child': Wolverhampton school gets go-ahead to take in 395 extra pupils

A popular Wolverhampton school will get six new classrooms and art studios after councillors approved plans for its expansion.

The council’s cabinet yesterday (Wednesday) approved plans to increase the capacity of Colton Hills School in Goldthorne Park by 35 per cent over the next five years, taking its capacity to 1,526.

The plans were opposed by the headmaster of another school in the city, who was concerned it would threaten the viability of his school.

But Colton Hills headmistress Julie Hunter thanked the council for its support, saying it would build on improvements that were already taking place.

She said: “The expansion and refurbishment will create a modern learning environment that reflects the high aspirations we have for every child.

“We are proud of our history, but this project is firmly focused on the future, ensuring that Colton Hills continues to provide outstanding opportunities for young people for many years to come.

“The permanent expansion will be a standalone two-storey building at the heart of the school, which will include six classrooms and art studios. In addition, the school hall will be extended to accommodate the increase in pupil numbers.”

She said this would complement works already taking place to extend and refurbish the existing gym and changing rooms.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, cabinet member for education, said ensuring every child in Wolverhampton had access to a local, high-quality school place was a major priority for the council.

“Colton Hills is one of the best places we can do this in the city, with demand for places locally already high,” she said, adding that deed the school had already increased its intake for first-year pupils.

Ian Chamberlain, headmaster of Smestow Academy, 3.5 miles away in Castlecroft, had voiced his objection to the plans, saying it could affect the viability of his and other neighbouring schools.

People living around the school in Jeremy Road have also expressed concerns about the impact on traffic and parking in the area.

The cabinet approved plans to increase the number of pupils admitted each year from 161 to 240, taking the total number from 1,131 at present to 1,526 by 2031, an increase of 35 per cent.

Councillor Coogan said that out of 35 people who responded to a formal consultation, 24 were opposed to the plans and 10 in favour. A further member of the public did not express a clear preference either way.

But she said an earlier informal consultation had found the reverse to be the case, with two-thirds supporting the expansion.

Mr Chamberlain said this would not be an effective use of taxpayers’ money given that there were schools in the city which were undersubscribed.

He said: “Colton Hills is directly positioned on our school bus route and increasing their pupil admission numbers by a further 79 would most certainly impact on our future cohorts and will leave us vulnerable to receiving further low admissions, affecting the financial stability and therefore viability of our school.”

Mr Chamberlain said the local authority had already approved the expansions of Highfields and Khalsa schools, the latter also along Smestow’s bus route.

“This additional approval will compound our current vulnerable situation, especially with pupil numbers predicted to fall our side of the city,” he said.

“I feel this proposed expansion would not represent an effective use of taxpayers’ money which will reach into millions of pounds for this project.

“My view is this funding would be much better to subsidise an additional bus to Smestow to provide additional school places for pupils to central and southern areas of the city where there is a more significant demand for school places.”

A number of residents expressed concerns that it would exacerbate parking problems in the area.

“Increasing Colton Hills by over a third will cause extra traffic,” said one.

“Cars already park irresponsibly and damage grass verges. Leaving the estate when parents drop pupils off is becoming increasingly difficult, some cars travelling at excessive speed for the conditions. Roads on this estate are very narrow.”

One parent with a child at Colton Hills said the school was struggling to cope with the number of pupils it already had.

“The school is understaffed already and the turnaround of staff is high,” said the parent.

“I don’t believe this current team are capable of dealing with more students. The transport infrastructure for this school would not be able to cope.”

Another resident said: “School expansion would make traffic and anti-social behaviour worsen and it is already at an extremely bad level.”

Councillor Coogan acknowledged that car parking and traffic congestion in the vicinity of schools was a sensitive issue, potentially causing disruption for residents. But any such concerns could be dealt with during the planning process, with the possibility of traffic calming measures such as double yellow lines and traffic patrols.

Councillor Coogan said Colton Hills was at present fully staffed for lessons, although supply teachers were sometimes drafted in to cover absences. She anticipated that extra staff would be recruited to cope with the extra pupil numbers.

“If the proposed expansion is not approved, it will result in pupils having to travel greater distances, in excess of government guidelines, to access a school place outside their local area,” she said.

“This will have a negative impact on attendance and punctuality, as well as affecting pupils’ learning time and overall wellbeing.”