School wants to expand by nearly a third

Ercall Wood Technology College wants to build a new block

A school in Telford has revealed plans to build a new teaching block and increase pupil numbers by nearly a third.

Proposals for Ercall Wood Technology College, in Wellington, include building a new three-storey block, primarily for science lessons.

The school currently has 949 pupils and the plans submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council would allow the "incremental increase of 300 students" in coming years.

The plans are open for public comments until 11 December.

The application says extra school places are best provided by "developing an existing established site".

“This allows future demand to be met for people living locally and to encourage growth locally," it continues.

The proposed teaching block includes 10 science labs, science preparation rooms, relevant stores and support ancillary rooms. There is also one standard classroom "allowing some flexibility".

Plans include a single-storey ground floor extension, which would provide an additional 128 seats for lunchtime dining in a large open space.

Protecting sports pitches

Ercall Wood Technology College dates back to the 1940s and was rebuilt nine years ago on the same site as the existing school, as part of a £14m project under the Building Schools for the Future scheme.

School authorities say the extension has been designed to minimise the loss of sports pitches, given the school's strong emphasis on sport.