Funding Announced for Expansion of Putney Schools

Brandlehow, St. Cecilia’s and Ark Academy to increase pupil numbers

Wandsworth Council say that three schools in the area will see an increase in their pupil numbers as a result of extra funding being made available.

£15.4m has been set aside to pay for extra classrooms at some of the borough’s primary, secondary and special schools.

This will pay for an extra 1,000 places across the borough in time for the 2020/21 academic year including an additional 825 places at secondary level and a further 150 sixth form places.

The council say the proposed investment will mean local schools have enough classroom space to cater for rising pupil numbers.

Most of the funding is going to secondary schools. St Cecilia’s CofE in Southfields, which specialist in music tuition, will increase its intake by one extra class – and add an extra 50 sixth form places. Ark Academy in Putney will add two new classes to its intake by utilising available space in its existing building which was recently upgraded as part of a £30m school modernisation scheme, and provide 50 extra sixth form places for its A level students.

At primary level, Brandlehow School in Putney will admit an extra class as part of a £3m project to meet growing demand from parents.

Additional resources have also been invested in special educational needs provision to support children with a range of disabilities.

The council say it has spent more than £17m constructing new school facilities for Greenmead School, while a further £2.5m has been invested in refurbishing and expanding Paddock School in Roehampton.

Council leader Ravi Govindia said: “This is a substantial programme of investment that will provide additional classroom places at some of our best performing and most popular schools.

“It will also give parents wider options and greater choice when it comes to choosing a school for their children.

“And I particularly welcome the extra investment in our special needs provision which will directly benefit some of the borough’s most vulnerable children.”

November 8, 2019