A VILLAGE school and day nursery in Kidderminster has been sold to an independent schools investor with plans to build two new buildings.

Heathfield Knoll School and First Steps Day Nursery, based near the border of Wolverley, exchanged contracts with KSI Education on Wednesday (January 8).

Trustees, management and staff at the independent school started looking for a partner to carry forward its ambitious plans to redevelop the site into 2020 and beyond, and are set to complete the deal with KSI in the near future.

Heathfield Knoll will be KSI's second school purchase, having bought Kingsley School in North Devon this year, as the organisation looks to build a group of around 10 independent schools across the UK.

The investor has big plans to spend an initial £1m on two new buildings at Heathfield Knoll, which are expected to be completed ready for the September 2020 term.

These will include new spaces for music, food technology and computing.

The investment will allow Heathfield Knoll to employ up to 10 new staffing appointments to help grow and develop science, primary years, food technology and support for English and maths.

Admissions will also be supported by the funding, as the school saw a 100 per cent increase in enquiries during 2018/19.

Headmaster Lawrence Collins said: "Our new partnership with KSI offers significant opportunities for the whole school community.

"I am delighted to work with KSI on exciting plans for the future development of the school. Investment is taking place with immediate effect. There is much to look forward to."

The partnership will also allow Heathfield Knoll to benefit from a range of head office functionality and expertise, including links with Oxford University.

Partner at KSI Education Daniel Wellings said: "We are delighted to confirm that Heathfield Knoll will join our family of educators.

"We look forward to many years of collaboration with the senior leadership to enhance the wonderful education school already provides."

Heathfield Knoll School celebrates its 400th anniversary this year and caters for children aged three months to 16 years.