Senior councillors are being asked to spend an extra £800,000 on eight temporary classrooms to replace a school building - which is only six years old.

Sandwell’s cabinet is being asked to approve the cash which is ‘urgently required’ to replace 28 general and specialist classrooms in Perryfields High School’s Jubilee Block.

A report by council officers says the rooms have been taken out of use due to their poor state of repair.

Perryfields High School, Sandwell.
Perryfields High School, Sandwell.

The cash is in addition to £249,785 spent in January for 12 portable cabins to accommodate some of the school’s 1,200 pupils.

Officials say another eight temporary classrooms are needed despite changes to the curriculum and the use of large areas such as the drama studio to teach children.

The Jubilee Block was completed in September 2012  but closed in December last year.

The council’s local education partnership commissioned Interserve Construction Ltd  to install the building to replace several single and double mobile classrooms.

Interserve has since gone out of business but a new company, Interserve Group Ltd, has taken on its liabilities according the report to the cabinet.

Chris Ward, Sandwell Council's Director of Education, Employment and Skills said: “The Jubilee Block at Perryfields High School is in need of a number of major repairs and the decision was taken to close the building until those repairs have been addressed.

"Repairs could not be made while the building is occupied and the council’s proposal is considered to be the most safe and secure solution for the school.

"We are looking to go out to tender to purchase temporary mobile classrooms while we continue to pursue full repairs to Jubilee Block to enable its re-opening.

"We have been pleased with the school’s excellent management of the building closure in what has been a difficult time for staff and pupils.

"I am very grateful to the school’s governing board for the temporary arrangements they have made to ensure that pupils didn’t have to move to another school or miss many days of their vital education, and for the ongoing support of parents and carers."

Councillors will discuss the recommendations at their meeting on April 17.