Terms agreed for Stourbridge College campus to be taken over by boarding school

Old Swinford Hospital has agreed terms with BMet College to acquire Stourbridge College's land and buildings on Hagley Road, Stourbridge.

BMet's decision to close Stourbridge College was met with opposition from the community, with hundreds of parents, students and staff turning out for a community meeting aimed at saving the college.

The deal was struck after months of discussions between Old Swinford Hospital and BMet.

Malcolm Wilcox, chairman of Old Swinford Hospital School's trust committee, said: "Together with BMet College, we are delighted to announce this agreement after several months of discussions and negotiations.

"The acquisition by the Feoffees (trustees) will allow the School of the Foundation, Old Swinford Hospital, the opportunity to expand, a development welcomed by the school’s governors and the headmaster Paul Kilbride.

"We shall also be working in partnership with Dudley Council who are supportive of our acquisition and school expansion as well as with other local stakeholders and providers to ensure the continuance of education on the Hagley Road site."

The school hopes to use the site for educational purposes however it can't confirm that for certain, as it has not yet officially acquired the land.

The agreement of terms has set the ball in motion for a future development which has been widely welcomed, with support received from West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Stourbridge MP Margot James.

Council leader Patrick Harley said: "Malcolm and the team at OSH have worked extremely hard over several months to secure this deal.

"For our part the council has also worked behind the scenes and supported those efforts to retain this site for educational usage enhancing the education opportunities for all our children and young people in Stourbridge.

"The proposals are exciting and Dudley Council will play its full part in ensuring we maximise usage of the Stourbridge site for educational means."