Site in Shrewsbury earmarked for two new schools

Shropshire Council is exploring the opportunity to co-locate a special school and a mainstream facility in Bowbrook.

The authority is initially proposing a 120-place special school for pupils aged five to 16.

Karen Bradshaw, director of children’s services, said: “Earlier this month the government announced that Shropshire Council’s bid to establish a special school in Shrewsbury can proceed to the next stage of the process - the trust competition stage.

"We’re proposing a 120-place special school for pupils across the age range five to 16, but there is some way to go in the process."

The next stage of Shropshire Council's plan is to meet the growing demand for a mainstream school.

Mrs Bradshaw said it is likely to be a primary school to start, with the opportunity to expand in the future.

“We’re also about to consult with key stakeholders in the west of Shrewsbury on the provision of a mainstream school to meet the growing demand for school places in this part of Shrewsbury," Mrs Bradshaw added.

Opportunity

"This could be a two-form entry primary school for 420 pupils in total in the first instance, but with scope to expand in the future to three forms of entry or even become an all-through school, particularly given the potential for further housing in this part of Shrewsbury through to 2036.

"However, no decisions have yet been made on this and won’t be made until later this year.

“The site in Bowbrook is just under seven hectares, which provides the opportunity for co-locating the special school and mainstream school on the same site. However, no decisions have been made and a range of options are being explored.”

Councillor Roger Evans has long called for a new school to cope with the expanding population of Shrewsbury.

In February last year, Shropshire Council granted planning permission for more than 600 homes at Weir Hill and it is currently deciding whether to allow 228 homes to be built at Copthorne Barracks.

Councillor Evans says many of the schools in the south of the town are already over capacity.