PLANS for a new classroom to ease overcrowding at Blackheath Primary have been submitted to Sandwell Council.

The school wants to build a new classroom to create two teaching areas, student support area, toilets and a kitchen, at its site in Britannia Road.

It is hoped the single storey building on a grassed area between the playground and Ruskin Avenue would create space for specialist teaching as well as physiotherapy for pupils with special physical needs.

A statement from Horsley Huber Architects to planners on the school’s behalf reads: “The school has a significant number of children with educational and physical needs which places sever pressure on facilities in the part of the school accommodating the youngest age groups.

“Existing spaces for small group work or for one to one tuition are over subscribed.

“Corridors are currently used for some support activites resulting in constant interruptions from children or adults passing through.

“In these situations over use of corridors can compromise fire escape routes.”

The statement goes on to say the new classroom would “rectify these deficiencies” while not increase the capacity of the school or the number of full time staff.

The school, which has space for 420 pupils aged four to 11, was built in 2004 following the demolition of Britannia High.