AN OLD sixth form college in the town centre could be converted into a secondary school to help meet demand for school places.
The building on Eastgate - owned by Barnsley College - has been earmarked as a potential site for a new school after it was revealed that Barnsley could be short of nearly 1,000 secondary school places by 2022, due to a 'bulge' of pupils coming through primary education.
Barnsley Council will also consider working with an existing multi-academy trust to build a new free school in the town centre, or work with council-controlled schools to establish a new academy trust, which would then sponsor a new school.
Penistone Grammar could also be extended as part of the plans - but it's believed the council's preferred option is to refurbish the Eastgate site.
In addition, a surge of new housing and a proposed major housing development in Barugh Green will mean a new primary school is needed to meet demand for places in that area of the town.
Senior councillors will meet on Wednesday to discuss the options.
You can read more in this week's Barnsley Chronicle.
