Views sought over plans to increase pupil numbers

A public consultation has been opened over plans to expand a Wolverhampton school.

People are being asked to give their views on proposals to create spaces at Colton Hills Community School - with an additional 79 Year 7 places from 2027, creating 395 permanent places in total across Years 7-11 by September 2031.

City of Wolverhampton Council said it would help to "meet the growing demand for secondary school places in the south east of the city, and form part of a phased programme of works already under way".

The local authority approved the consultation proposal in December and people have until 8 February to give their feedback as part of that initial stage.

The consultation would enable the council to determine whether to hold a formal consultation at a later date, councillor Jacqui Coogan, cabinet member for children, young people and education, said.

Expanding the school would help offer "high quality" school places for more children, she added.

"Colton Hills is one of the best places we can do this in the city, with demand for places there already high - indeed the school has already increased its Year 7 intake this year - and these are very exciting plans."

Julie Hunter, the school's head teacher, said: "This proposal is a huge vote of confidence in our students, our staff, and the positive direction we are heading.

"We are not just expanding our building; we are expanding opportunities. We are incredibly excited to embark on this journey and will keep our community updated as the permanent expansion progresses."

The council would spend £2.6m on adding the first phase of new places, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has previously reported.

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