Since the Government let down on the new school, the Council has been looking into how we might take things forward.  It is clear that there is no appetite in Government or in

Harris
Academies to reconsider the ‘risk assessment’ that claim the Bredinghurst site is too dangerous to be used as a site for the school.  No amount of protestation on the part of the council that we could manage these risks is going to change the Government’s mind.  It is clear that the 2007 opening promised is not going to happen. Although the school is still  scheduled to open in September 2009 on its permanent site. 

But I do not accept that this doe not mean that a 2008 opening is not possible.  

The Lib Dem Leader of Southwark Council, has called on all parties involved in the plans for the new

Harris
Boys
Academy in
East Dulwich to make sure that the new school opens its doors in September 2008.

In a letter to Schools Minister Lord Adonis, Nick Stanton said:

“I suggest we agree to disagree over the merits of the Bredinghurst risk assessment and concentrate on finding a way of opening the School as quickly as possible. We have reviewed the area to see if there are any other sites that Southwark can proffer but I’m afraid that there are no further realistic options. Unless, therefore, we can revisit Bredinghurst I suggest we concentrate instead on trying to get the School to open on its permanent site with 3 forms of entry in September 2008.”

The idea of siting the temporary school on a part of the permanent site whilst the new buildings were in construction  was considered but rejected as it would be too large in its planned form. However, now that we have lost a year, we need to find space for only 90 pupils in a temporary school rather than 180 and so we are confident that the permanent site can accommodate them.

The most important consideration is the best interests of the pupils of the new school. Getting the school open as quickly as possible is absolutely vital. We are disappointed that we have lost a year, but are determined to move ahead with a temporary school in 2008.