Plans for new high school approved

The school will be built on the former Meir Social And Sports Club site on Weston Road, Meir

Plans for a new high school in Stoke-on-Trent have been approved by councillors.

Florence MacWilliams Academy was earmarked for land which was previously part of Longton High School and the former Meir Sports and Social Club.

The new school and sixth form would eventually provide places for up to 1,150 pupils.

It will open to year seven pupils in its first year, with the first group taught in temporary accommodation from September 2024 before they move to the permanent development.

Facilities were set to include a 3G pitch, playing fields, four multi-use games areas and a running track.

Parents of primary school age children were already requesting places at the school, the city council's planning committee heard.

Elizabeth Clewlow, founder and principal-designate of the new school, told committee members the development was “a multi-million pound investment for the betterment of our city".

“Speaking as a mother, our children deserve the best education this country has to offer," she said.

"Florence seeks to do this, offering our children something optimistic and completely new."

Parents 'desperate' for new school

There was an urgent need for high-quality school places for children in Meir, Parkhall, Weston Coyney and surrounding areas, as many were currently "forced" over the border to take up places in schools outside of their community, she added.

Current year six parents have requested a school place as they were "desperate" for this school to open, Ms Clewlow added.

The council received 47 letters in favour of the proposals.

There were also 140 objections and two petitions against the application, including concerns over the loss of open green space.

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