00:00Plans to replace George Betts Primary Academy in Smethwick have been approved by Sandwell Council.
00:07Construction is planned alongside the existing school to avoid closures and limit disruption.
00:12The smaller new building would give its 420 pupils more outdoor space, including a play area, reading garden and repositioned
00:22netball court.
00:22Plans also include a new pupil drop-off area, a larger visitor car park and more than 100 trees will
00:29be planted.
00:30The Department for Education says the current buildings are costly to maintain and need ongoing repairs.
00:37The new school is expected by April 2027, with remaining work completed by the end of that year.
