Work Begins On All-through School On The Greenwich Peninsula

by Benson Agoha In Lagos

Work has begun on the expansion of an existing school to create an all-through school on the Greenwich Peninsula, in south east London, part of one of the largest regeneration projects in the capital.

The 1,646 place St Mary Magdalene Church of England School is the first of two schools to be built after planning permission on the final design was granted by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to developers, Knight Dragon Development Ltd, earlier this year.

St Mary Magdalene Church of England School is part of the Koinonia Federation, which currently operates at 4 sites across Greenwich, 2 of which will move to the new building on completion.

The single-site building will cater for primary school age children up to a sixth-form intake and is part of the Royal Borough’s drive to provide additional school places to meet increasing need within the borough. The school has being developed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich working in close liaison with the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education who will manage the school on completion.

The school is an all-through school, including a 26-place nursery, a 2-form entry primary school, a 6-form entry secondary school and 300 sixth-form places, providing 1,646 school places.

Councillor Miranda Williams, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (top right), said: “The Royal Borough of Greenwich recognises the need to increase school provision in the borough so it is fantastic to see work start on the site for the St Mary Magdalene campus. Together with the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education we have worked hard to ensure that the school will provide modern, state-of-the-art facilities where the next generation can learn and grow, and where the community can also enjoy these new amenities. I look forward to seeing it open to students for the first time in 2018.”

Colin Powell, the Director of Education at the Southwark Diocesan Board said: “The Southwark Diocesan Board are delighted that this exciting project to secure outstanding Church of England education provision for Greenwich is continuing to make progress. We would like to thank the Governing Body of St Mary Magdalene School and the Royal Borough of Greenwich for working in partnership with us to help realise our vision.”

The school site is located on the corner of Millennium Way and John Harrison Way, creating a civic presence on the gateway to the peninsula. All materials have been chosen in line with the peninsula-wide design code and provide a durable, quality design. The new school site will work to enhance biodiversity as well as provide exceptional sports facilities and outdoor learning and play environments.

The development aims to reach BREEAM Excellent assessment and, with a sustainability strategy based on the London Plan, aims to achieve a 35% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions above standard building regulations. The school will utilise photovoltaic solar panels to reduce its energy consumption and will be linked in to the peninsula-wide district heating network providing heating and hot water to the peninsula.

The school is due to open for the academic year 2018 – 2019, with the transfer of some pupils from other temporary sites within the borough, meaning that over of half of the building will be occupied on opening.

The school will have high quality sports facilities which will be available for community use, including a full size running track, an external all-weather sports pitch and a 4 court indoor sports hall.

Knight Dragon Development Ltd is the developer for the peninsula-wide site. The Greater London Authority (GLA) is the land owner.