Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams, a new secondary school in Stoke-on-Trent, has received approval to start their new temporary building. The temporary school will house 120 students for three terms, situated on the plot of land that provides access to the school’s permanent site.
The free school’s permanent site is also set to begin construction for their multi-million-pound building, overlooking Weston Woods. Students will see their new school come to life, whilst construction for the permanent school is underway.
With an aim to be parents first choice for their child, the new academy will help provide necessary student spaces for growing numbers in the local community.
Jack Brereton, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, said:
“I am very pleased to see further planning permission has now been granted for the new Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams in Meir and the DFE has entered into a funding agreement which will mean year 7 places can be offered for the opening from this September.
“These secondary places are desperately needed in communities like Meir, Meir Hay and Weston Coyney, given the huge pressures on secondary places locally which has previously forced many children to have to travel huge distances to get to school.
“The temporary buildings will allow the school to open sooner whilst the permanent new building is constructed. Not only will this new school help to increase the number of good quality secondary places locally, once completed it will create important new facilities which will be of significant benefit to the wider community.
“Whilst I recognise some in the community did raise concerns about the impact of this development, I believe the benefits to our local community far outweigh these and it is welcome that significant efforts have been made to ensure issues such as traffic are minimised by creating a new access road direct onto Weston Road.”
Elizabeth Clewlow, Founder and Headteacher at Florence MacWilliams Academy, said:
“We are delighted that the planning for temporary accommodation for our founding cohort of Year 7 students, whom we look forward to welcoming in September 2024, has been successfully secured. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment and reassurance for parents who have steadfastly supported our new Free School through the pre-opening phase and marks a significant milestone in our journey, reaffirming our ambition to provide exceptional education for all Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams students”
Dr Chris Tomlinson, CEO of Co-op Academies Trust, said:
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams to our Trust. We strongly believe in having clusters of schools regionally to help support and challenge one another. Our network of schools, in particular Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent, will work cooperatively with Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams to help offer students and their families a brilliant educational experience. The academy will be a great ethical fit and we’re delighted to have them on board.”
