TWO headteachers are calling on the government to speed up a promised plan to replace "decrepit" buildings that are "not fit for purpose" after being told completion is unlikely before 2032.
The multi-million-pound replacement for the dilapidated former St John’s Middle School building, now part of Baxter College, would not only provide students with a modern learning environment, but also free up land for the over-subscribed Wyre Forest School.
The successful bid made to the Department of Education’s School Rebuilding Programme, also included a new sports hall for Baxter College and when the announcement was made in December 2022, executive principal Matthew Carpenter said it was like “winning the World Cup”.
But his elation has turned to despair with news that the new build is in the programme’s third phase, with the planning stage not due to start until at least April 2025 and will take five to seven years to complete.
Mr Carpenter said: “I have no idea why it should take so long, but that is what we have been told.
"In the meantime, we have to struggle on with decrepit buildings, which are not fit for purpose and the adjacent special school has to manage with insufficient room for its students.”
He and Wyre Forest School headteacher Rebecca Garratt, have enlisted the help of Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier who implored schools’ minister Damian Hinds to look at moving the project forward during a question in the House of Commons.
Mr Carpenter said they were “very grateful” for the MP’s intervention and hope to meet the minister soon.
Mrs Garratt added: “We have limited outdoor space for our current school population of 360 - which is still growing due to demand.
“A new build for Baxter would give us this much-needed outdoor space, but also when money allows, space to build in order for us to create more spaces for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.”
Baxter College inherited the middle school building in 2007 when the district moved from a three to two-tier education system, but it was in poor condition and contains asbestos making repairs very expense.
Mr Carpenter added: “It never really fitted into the design of our site and has certainly reached the end of its life span. The new build would be within the footprint of our main building.”
“Our sports hall is old and in desperate need of upgrading. Its replacement will double as an exam centre and benefit from an efficient heating system.”
The Department for Education has been approached for comment.
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