School first to be bulldozed

The Abraham Darby Academy in Telford is to be the first school bulldozed and completely rebuilt as part of a multi-million-pound education revamp across the borough, it was revealed today.

A total of seven schools are to be flattened and rebuilt as part of the £200 million shake-up which will see the creation of Campus Telford & Wrekin.

The Abraham Darby redevelopment in Madeley, to be outlined to residents next week, will see a new school for the existing 900 pupils, plus an additional 200 post-16 places, as well as the co-location of Woodlands Primary School and Madeley Swimming Pool on site.

It will also include a multi-purpose community hall and fitness centre and is due to be fully open in the academic year 2011/12, by which time it will have been reborn as a "learning community".

Details of its transformation are to be outlined to residents at a community meeting at Abraham Darby Academy on Tuesday, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

The rebuilds are part of a masterplan by Telford & Wrekin Council, which will see not only the Abraham Darby Academy rebuilt but also The Sutherland School in Trench, Wrockwardine Wood Arts College and the Lord Silkin School in Stirchley.

Three Oaks in Stirchley and Woodside's Woodlands primary schools will also be rebuilt. Ten other schools will be in line for multi-million pound refurbishments.