AN exciting state-of-the-art £200m transformation of Dudley schools has been unveiled with Pensnett High School set to make way for one of two new borough academies.

Under the ambitious plans Pensnett will be bulldozed and merge with The Crestwood School in Kingswinford.

The Pensnett pupils will then transfer to The Crestwood's Bromley Lane site to form one of the new academies.

Holly Hall Mathematics and Computing College will be replaced by an academy on its current Scotts Green Close site.

Each of the new sites will house 900 students aged between 11 and 16 and provide world-class facilities.

The proposals, which form part of the government's Building Schools for the Future programme, are the biggest ever funding in borough schools.

At least £200m will be pumped into the innovative project with in excess of £10m spent on each of the schools.

Dudley is scheduled to be included in the 2010 round of new schools subject to the government's green light.

All students in the existing three school sites will be guaranteed places at the new academies due to open their doors in September 2010.

Students, staff and the public will also be urged to have their say on the future of their school over the next 12 months.

But every borough secondary school apart from Bishop Milner Catholic School, Summerhill School and Oldswinford Hospital, who have already received makeovers, will benefit and see existing facilities replaced.

Netherton's Hillcrest School and Community College will be expanded to accomodate the increased demand for places at the Simms Lane site amongst town youngsters.

The dramatic blueprint was revealed by excited council chiefs on Tuesday (December 4) who promised the academies would not be "elitist".

Now the proposals will now go before Dudley cabinet next Wednesday (December 12) for approval.

Holly Hall headteacher Graham Lloyd hailed the innovative plans. He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone connected with Holly Hall.

"It will create new and exciting learning opportunities for all of our students and for the community we serve."

The national Building Schools for the Future' programme was first unveiled in 2003.

Dr Sue Bains, headteacher of Pensnett High School, said: "We are absolutely delighted that the young people and community of Pensnett are being given this new centre of learning.

"This is a fantastic opportunity and everyone at Pensnett High School is very excited about having the chance to be involved in the development and design of a centre of excellence for the community."

Councillor Liz Walker, cabinet member for children's services, said: "This multi-million investment programme will give us the money and the opportunity to improve all schools.

"It could result in at least £10m investment in each school, which will re-model and possibly rebuild many of our secondary schools in the borough to an extremely high standard, fit for 21st century education."