Ormiston SWB Academy Plans Expansion with Five New Classrooms

An academy trust has announced its intention to expand a senior school to address increasing demand, particularly after over 100 local children were unable to secure a secondary school place in September. Ormiston SWB Academy aims to construct five additional classrooms to accommodate an extra 150 pupils at its site on Dudley Street in Bilston, Wolverhampton. The proposal involves increasing each year group from 200 to 230 pupils, commencing with the 2025/26 academic year. In its planning application, the trust stated, “This project is essential for the academy and the wider community.” The trust further commented: “At present, a large number of 11-year-olds who live in Bilston and the surrounding areas cannot attend a school in their community.” It also reported that a total of 101 children who applied in September were not allocated a senior school place. “Due to the increased popularity and reputation within the city, the academy has been approached to support this,” the trust affirmed. The proposed plans also encompass new IT and business facilities, an upgrade to the school’s design and technology workshop, and the addition of an extra science lab within the main school building. The trust intends to construct a single-storey block for this expansion, situated on the current drop-off zone. Consequently, the drop-off point would be relocated to Prosser Street, on the opposite side of the school. This move is anticipated to alleviate traffic, congestion, and illegal parking issues on Dudley Street. During the summer, the City of Wolverhampton Council gave its approval to plans involving an expenditure of £3.2 million to create additional places at three secondary schools, one of which is managed by Ormiston SWB Academy.