Telford and Wrekin Council unveil future schools proposals
Telford & Wrekin Council last night unveiled proposals which will see more of the borough’s secondary schools rebuilt rather than just remodelled.
Telford & Wrekin Council says the new plans, part of a multi-million pound project, will result in high quality, sustainable buildings that will increase ambition, attainment and community pride.
The revised plans have been based on community impact assessments and the projection of future pupil numbers.
In Stirchley new facilities would include a new primary and secondary school plus further education opportunities for those aged 16 and over. The development will incorporate the existing Grange Park Primary and Lord Silkin Schools.
Under the plans a 1,050 place joint Christian faith Academy for ages 11-18 will be created at a new site in Priorslee incorporating the existing Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College and will also serve the wider Christian community and those living locally to the site.
A new 1,200 place school on the vacated Blessed Robert Johnson site in Wellington would replace the current Charlton School.
Building a new 1,050 place 11-16 Co-operative Academy on the site adjacent to the existing Oakengates Leisure Centre will serve the communities of Donnington, Oakengates, Trench and Wrockwardine Wood. The new academy would replace the existing Sutherland Business and Enterprise College and Wrockwardine Wood Arts College
Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “The new proposals will achieve better value for money from the Building Schools for the Future programme while continuing to create high quality learning environments for our young people as well as community facilities for all.
“After reviewing previous proposals for delivering new educational facilities, I think these changes will make a huge difference to the standard of the facilities that we would now be able to provide.
“At this stage, these are only proposals and a full consultation will be launched on November 21. I would therefore encourage everyone to take part and make sure their views are counted.”
Consultation meetings are planned to allow residents to give their feedback on the proposals. These will take place as follows:
Monday 21 November: 6.30pm, Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College
Monday 28 November: 6.30pm, Sutherland Business and Enterprise College
Thursday 1 December: 6.30pm, Wrockwardine Wood Arts College
Monday 5 December: 6.30pm, Lord Silkin School
Monday 12 December: 7pm, Charlton School, Wellington
