Concern that North Solihull could be hit with a major shortage of school places

NORTH Solihull could be left facing a critical shortage of school places in the future, an ex-borough councillor has warned.
Graham Craig, who represented Smith’s Wood for over 20 years, has grave concerns that the local authority is sitting on a “time bomb.”
This month he called on Solihull Council to scrap plans which could see homes built on the former site of Bosworth Wood Primary, arguing the land may need to be returned to educational use at a later date.
Outlining his fears, Mr Craig insisted he had always been a supporter of the Regeneration scheme and, in fact, this had cost him his council seat five years ago.
But he believes that disposing of the site could be incredibly shortsighted as it is the only area left on the estate large enough to accommodate the new primary which he believes the community will inevitably need.
“There are thousands of the original residents still on the estate, many in three bedroom houses, the vast majority in their late 60s and early 70s,” he told councillors.
“When they pass on, those three bedroom houses will be taken by young couples with children, starting the process all over again.
“Coupled with that, the houses still to be built in Smith’s Wood... there will be a need for primary places in our schools.”
When Bosworth Wood closed its doors in 2009, it left what is now the Smith’s Wood Primary Academy as the last remaining non-faith school for four to 11-year-olds.
This is in stark contrast to when the estate was newly-built and had four separate schools to serve the community.
The closure, which was itself deeply controversial, was justified on the basis that pupil roll calls were falling. Seven years on, Mr Craig argues that many in Smith’s Wood are already having to send their children to schools in nearby Kingshurst and Castle Bromwich because of the lack of places.
Councillor Ian Courts, the Deputy Leader of Solihull Council, said there would be a full consultation before the land at Bosworth Wood was released for residential development.
“The implications of additional housing in the locality on school place planning will also be considered.”