Telford & Wrekin Council says it is receiving a “largely positive” response to its multi million pound scheme to transform schools and dramatically boost A-level education.
The council’s proposals to create “learning communities” were spelled out at a meeting at the Abraham Darby Academy in Madeley, which is the first school involved in the new process.
The meeting was part of a series of consultations on the scheme and, despite some local reservations, the council says most reaction is positive.
Abraham Darby is being brought together with the Woodlands Primary School to be rebuilt in a £30 million move, creating the first of the new wave of learning communities.
Sixth Form
Existing buildings, including the school’s 1930s core, would be bulldozed.
The scheme would include 900 places for 11-16s, plus 200 post-16 places as part of a revived Sixth Form.
The plans, however, received a mixed reception from residents, who were worried about the impact on nearby homes, such as noise and loss of green space.
Overall, Telford & Wrekin is intending to create over 600 post-16 places in the borough together with a revamp or rebuild of secondary schools.
Consultations are ongoing and if feedback received from the process is positive, the plans could be given the go ahead next year.
Councillor Stephen Burrell, lead member for children & young people said: “The (Abraham Darby) meeting was part of a public consultation on proposals for the Academy that would form part of the Campus Telford & Wrekin vision.
“This would foresee new schools at Abraham Darby, The Lord Silkin School, Sutherland School and Wrockwardine Wood Performing Arts College, which would be relocated to a site in Priorslee.
“So far, after 10 public consultation meetings, the response has been largely positive,” he said.
The scheme is part of Telford & Wrekin’s vision for a Modern Learning City, funded by the Government’s Building Schools For the Future scheme.
This brings together schools, children’s centres, health and sports and leisure facilities to create learning centres similar to Hadley Learning Community, which was constructed before the BSF scheme was introduced in 2005.
The Abraham Darby Academy would be the first school to be revamped under the scheme.
The proposals are set to go before Cabinet on November 10 and the consultation period ends on October 13.
