A DUDLEY school is set for a £6million state-of-the-art makeover after being given the go-ahead by council planning chiefs.

Wren's Nest Primary School, Foxglove Road, is set to be transformed with part of the existing site knocked down and multi-million pound buildings put in its place.

The plans will see existing school buildings, dating back to the 1930s, bulldozed to make way for a host of new facilities in a two-storey site featuring a new hall, kitchen, 12 classrooms, three small group rooms offices. New staff and visitor car parks would also be built.

The school's playing field, lost due to the new building, will be replaced at a later date.

Work will begin on the scheme next month with the fiirst phase of the project, including the classrooms, scheduled to be opened in February 2009.

It is hoped the new building will complement the new Wren's Nest Children's Centre also on the site.

Headteacher Ruth Wylie said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for Wren's Nest children and families using the state-of-the-art building which will support good ICT facilities."

The proposals were rubberstamped at Dudley Council's development control committee on Wednesday October 17. Speaking at the meeting, clr Ken Finch said: "I support this application and I attended this school myself in 1946.

"I'm proud that a new school will be built there.

A report to development control said: "The new teaching block would bring a new, up-to-date learning facility for pupils and staff.

"The building is fresh, modern, contemporary."