New school planned in Kingshurst

Yorkswood Primary School in Kingshurst is set to be replaced by a brand new building.

The school had been earmarked for refurbishment, but after consultation with the school, local people and other stakeholders; Solihull Council has revised its plans and is instead proposing to provide a completely new building.

The proposal is for a single storey building at the rear of the campus which would ultimately link with the Brambles Nursery – and increase the capacity of the school to accommodate the existing intake of children and allow for expansion in future years.

A spokesperson for SMBC said: The Council is in the process of developing a detailed design proposal for consultation.

“The earliest start on site following a planning application and procurement process could be spring next year.

“It would be the seventh school to be rebuilt as part of the Council’s North Solihull Primary Strategic Plan.

“This scheme will add to the works that have recently been completed at St Anthony’s and St John’s Catholic Primary Schools and the wholesale remodelling of Windy Arbor Primary School that is now on site and will finish next year.

“Together with the proposed rebuilding of Yorkswood; every primary school in the North Solihull Regeneration Area will have received significant investment demonstrating the Council’s continued commitment towards the schools estate in this priority area.”

Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills, Councillor Ken Meeson said: “Our intention when debating options for Yorkswood Primary School has always been to improve outcomes for children and enrich the wider local community.

“We hope that this proposal will achieve just that and we look forward to working with the school, parents and local people as we develop our designs.”

Mrs Deb Wilson, Executive Headteacher and Mr Andy Tunstall, Head of School added: “We are delighted that the children at Yorkswood will have access to an exciting new learning environment. In addition, families and the community will have full access to the enhanced facilities that will be available.”

The replacement or remodelling of schools in the north of the borough is part of a wider investment in the area through the North Solihull Partnership – which has seen the creation of new housing, two new village centres, improvements to local amenities and parks and investment in local enterprise.

For further information: www.northsolihull.co.uk

Read more: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/ArtMID/820/ArticleID/1374/Another-new-school-planned-for-North-Solihull