Verity Jones, nine, Ummayah Pasha and Joe Sentore, both five, celebrate the start of building work at Olive Hill Primary School in Halesowen with head teacher Rachel Cutting Ian Romano of St Modwen
Verity Jones, nine, Ummayah Pasha and Joe Sentore, both five, celebrate the start of building work at Olive Hill Primary School in Halesowen with head teacher Rachel Cutting Ian Romano of St Modwen

Birmingham-based regeneration company St Modwen has started work to revitalise outdoor facilities at Olive Hill Primary School in Halesowen.

The project will see the creation of a new grass football pitch, hard play areas, an Early Years Learning Centre and a forest area.

Ian Romano, senior development surveyor at St. Modwen, said: “We’re really pleased to have started work on the outdoor facility for Olive Hill Primary School. The new space will help ensure that the school meets its current and future requirements, with modern, purpose-built facilities for pupils and visitors.”

Rachel Cutting, head teacher at Olive Hill Primary School, said: “The start of work to construct new facilities for outdoor play and early years learning is an extremely exciting development and will enable the school to move forward with plans to increase the range of sports and outdoor activities on offer to the children.

“These new facilities will bring considerable benefit to existing and future pupils of Olive Hill. We very much look forward to seeing the development progress and to utilising the new space for a range of activities.”

Trish Brittain, assistant director for education services at Dudley Council, said: “We’re excited to see the redevelopment of Olive Hill Primary School starting to take shape.

“This is an important facility for the area as it will provide an enhanced environment for pupils of the school and for the local community. The addition of a new grass football pitch and hard play and forest areas will also encourage children to be more active, promoting learning through play.”

The new facilities at Olive Hill Primary School form part of St Modwen’s £2 million project to create new homes and provide improved facilities in the Coombs Wood area of Halesowen.