Ageing school set for millions (From Halesowen News)

Ageing school set for millions

10:22am Friday 21st November 2008 in News By Helen Attwood

Millions of pounds will be splashed out on revamping a Halesowen school to create state-of-the-art facilities for staff and pupils.

Hasbury C of E Primary is to be remodelled as part of an ambitious project to update ageing primary schools across the borough.

It is hoped work on the Hagley Road school will start within two years – five years at the very latest – and will take around a year to complete.

Cash is being given to the council by the Government – it is anticipated the borough will get £70million over the next 14 years.

Hasbury C of E is divided by a public footpath with a Victorian building on one side which houses the juniors section and the 1960s home of the infants section on the other.

Councillor Liz Walker, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said the project would unite the Hagley Road school on one site on the side of the 1960s building.

Cllr Walker said: “We will look at what we have got and what we need – rebuilding and adding bits on – knocking bits off, introducing energy saving concepts, parking and access.

“I'm very hopeful we will be able to bring it on stream as quickly as possible.

“It's exciting times for Hasbury.”

Cllr Walker said pupils would continue being educated on the site during building work.

Hasbury was promised a refurbishment more than ten years ago but plans were shelved.

Headteacher Pauline Rogers said: “We are thrilled to hear we are in the Primary Capital Programme.

“Hasbury has a dedicated caring staff and hardworking well behaved children and really supportive parents and local community.

“We only hope this time the local authority will keep its promise and children and staff will get the major refurbishment this school deserves.”

In 2006 it was proposed Halesowen C of E would move onto the Hasbury C of E site but again plans were scrapped.

Dudley’s cash allocation is part of a £3.55 billion scheme to create a new generation of primary schools across the UK which will also see Olive Hill Primary School in Springfield Road, Halesowen, refurbished.