© Tom Blewitt & Zack Griffiths – Predator Awareness

The sudden demolition of the former Coseley School has sparked fierce public concern following claims that the site may be earmarked for use as approved premises to house sex offenders.

Approved premises in the UK are residential facilities used to accommodate high-risk offenders, including those convicted of sexual offences, upon release from prison. Managed by the Probation Service, these facilities are designed to provide close supervision, support rehabilitation, and reduce the risk of reoffending. They are typically located in areas with access to public services and are subject to strict regulations and community safety protocols.

On 23rd September 2025, Predator Awareness received credible information from a source close to Dudley Council suggesting that the council may be planning to convert the former school site into approved premises. The following day, a team member visited the site to raise awareness. At that time, the school building remained intact, and no demolition work had begun.

Since then, the group has made several visits to the site. On Friday 7th November, they discovered that the school had been completely demolished. This rapid development raised further suspicions. An article published by the Express & Star stated that the demolition was due to the site becoming a magnet for vandalism and rough sleepers after redevelopment plans were abandoned. However, Predator Awareness disputes this justification.

When Predator Awareness was on scene, they seen no damage to the sitem the group stated. The question remains, why did the council really demolish this school quickly? Is the real reason they want to build approved premises to house sex offenders?

The Coseley School, which opened in 1968, was closed in 2017 due to financial pressures and a significant drop in pupil numbers—reportedly operating at half capacity by September 2016. The school had also received several troubling Ofsted reports prior to its closure.

Dudley Council had previously announced plans to redevelop the site into a new primary school and nursery, backed by a £10.2 million investment from the Department for Education. However, those plans were scrapped after the collapse of the construction firm ISG.

Predator Awareness has vowed to oppose any plans to build approved premises on the land. “We cannot allow this site to be turned into approved premises to house sex offenders,” a spokesperson said. “I totally understand that we do need approved premises, but there is plenty of land they can build that’s not near primary schools and housing estates where children live.”

The spokesperson continued: “Right at the top of the road there’s a McDonald’s, down the road there are two primary schools and also a train station nearby. Not only that, there’s a housing estate literally a few steps from the old school gate.”

Predator Awareness has pledged to take action if such plans are confirmed. “Our message is simple, STOP THE PAEDO HOSTEL. We will do everything possible to object to this in the fullest including calling protests,” the spokesperson declared. “They have said they will arrange protests, and get 1000’s of people outside their offices.”

Predator Awareness is now calling on Dudley Council to issue a clear public statement confirming their intentions for the site. Until then, the group says it will continue to monitor developments closely.