Cash plea for new school

Jul 31 2006 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

EDUCATION bosses in the city are going "cap in hand" to the Government for more cash to build a desperately needed new primary school.

City council officials are scouring the Bordesley Green and Sparkbrook area for a suitable plot of land to construct a school costing several million pounds.

But soaring land prices have increased the likely cost of a new primary by around £2 million.

The new school is badly needed because of rising pupil numbers in parts of the city, particularly in inner city areas, with some struggling to cope with up to 30 per cent overcapacity.

Birmingham's cabinet member for children, young people and families, Coun Les Lawrence, said they would be seeking additional funding from the Department for Education and Skills.

Coun Lawrence (Con, Northfield) said: "We are actively seeking a site to build a new primary school in Bordesley Green, Washwood Heath and Sparkbrook, at about the 600-pupil level.

"We had a capital 'envelope' from the DfES but, because of the cost of land, we are having to go back to them to see if there is any chance of increasing that envelope.

"It is proving very difficult to find property at a price which we, as a local authority, can afford."

Coun Lawrence said it would cost between £8 million and £10 million to build a new primary school.

The "envelope" from the Government contained several million pounds, but he added: "We would have to top that up with another £2-£3 million."

In the meantime, Coun Lawrence said they were talking to other council departments to see if they have any spare land which could accommodate a school.

The Birmingham Mail revealed in February this year that at least two new primary schools were needed following increasing birthrates in certain areas.

The second priority is to build a primary school in Aston, Lozells, or Handsworth, although work on identifying a possible site is not as advanced.

Coun Lawrence said pupil intakes had been increased at a number of primary schools, but they were now reaching the limit.

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