First phase of Rowley Learnng Campus opens

PUPILS are moving into new classrooms this week marking the completion of the first phase of the £38 million Rowley Learning Campus.

Thirty six pupils from the Whiteheath Pupil Referral Unit are starting lessons in their new school on the site the former Rowley Regis Sixth Form College.

They will be followed next week by 71 pupils from the Westminster Special School moving into their new premises on the campus.

Around 1,300 pupils from St Michael’s CE High School will move to the site when the second phase of development is completed in June.

The schools are part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme, which aimed to rebuild or renovate every secondary school in England.

Nine other BSF projects in Sandwell were axed by the new Colaition Government last year - although the council recently won an historic vistory in the High Court to force a rethink.

Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Darren Cooper said: "These schools will give local young people the best start in life.

"Who can possibly argue young people in other parts of the borough don't deserve the same chance.

"I urge education secretary Michael Gove to save our other projects and let us build the schools we need."