Primary schools expansion
Expansion programme Planning consent for 11 primary schools Charles Dickens Bellenden Ivydale Robert Browning Grange Crawford Phoenix Edwardian building refurbishment Albion Keyworth Belham Cherry Garden To be submitted for planning Phoenix new-build extension Redriff Angel Oak
the road. Refurbishment of the old building by September 2016 will allow the school to double in size and provide modern teaching facilities, including a new sports hall. In September this year, The Belham Primary School in Peckham – run by the Dulwich Hamlet Educational Trust – will open its doors for the first time to 90 pupils and will eventually accommodate 420 pupils on the site of the disused Bellenden Old School, in a £6 million restoration project. While the work progresses the school will operate from the Faith Chapel halls just along the road. As well as versatile outdoor play areas, there will be a new roof deck for additional outdoor learning and play at first floor level. “The design of our school aims to combine the airy space and high ceilings of the beautiful Victorian building with a modern double height atrium which we will use as a dining hall, an exhibition space and a visually stimulating area for the children,” says Kate Malecki, assistant project lead for the school. “When the school is not in use, local people will be able to use it as well, for events or classes or maybe a pop-up cafe. Lots of parents have already offered their skills to run activities, like art and music workshops and we very much want them to be involved. We hope to visit local facilities, like the fantastic wildlife garden at the Wildlife Trust Centre.” The headteacher at Dulwich Hamlet Junior School will be executive head at both schools, bringing her experience of leading an outstanding school to the new one. Nearby Bellenden Primary School has been oversubscribed, with its move into a brand southwarkmagazine.com
new school, scheduled for September 2016, eagerly anticipated. The move will double the school’s annual intake to 60 pupils and provide a bigger hall, two roof terraces, outdoor space and a purpose-built music and practice room. Headteacher, Stevan Borthwick says: “This is a tremendous opportunity to take this very successful community school forward into a new era. It will also enable us to continue to serve our community through things like the Saturday Music School.” Deputy headteacher, Mary Kelly adds: “Music is at the heart of Bellenden. The dedicated rooms will be an important feature. At the moment children practice in my office, the head’s office, wherever they can find space.
“We are only moving up the road and hope to keep the family atmosphere but it will be lovely to have more room for PE and outdoor learning.” Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture, based in Southwark, won the prestigious Building Design Education Architect of the Year Award in 2011. They consulted closely with pupils, parents, staff and neighbours about the design. “In the new school the youngest children will still have lots of outdoor space but more will be under cover so they can play outside, even when it is raining. It’s a tight site, so we have tried to maximise use by putting most of the teaching on the first floor. “Every space is designed to be used for learning, whereas the school has largely outgrown its old building. It will help provide the school places Peckham needs but also blend with the fabric of the community.” “We aim to continue guaranteeing a local primary place for every child who wants one,” says Councillor Victoria Mills, cabinet member for children and schools at Southwark Council. “We are determined to meet the pace and the scale of the increased demand for reception places. At the same time we want to maintain our high standards: 80% of primary schools have been judged good or outstanding by Ofsted, which ranks in the top quarter nationally. “Southwark has a strong record of investing in innovative urban design to further its regeneration ambitions. We are continuing this investment to provide some of the best and most inspirational learning environments for our young people.” ❚ issue
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