London ,
11
March
2015
|
10:38
Europe/London

City of London Corporation to expand its portfolio of schools

The City of London Corporation has been successful in its bid to launch two primary academies in Islington and Southwark, both areas with a substantial need for primary places.

The proposal for two new primary academies was approved by the Department for Education and will create a combined 840 extra places for local children by 2024.

The City of London Primary Academy Islington will be located within a major new development that will be part of the City’s Golden Lane Estate. The City of London Primary Academy Southwark will be situated on Galleywall Road in South Bermondsey. Both free school bids received support from the relevant local authorities in Islington and Southwark.

The primary academies in Southwark and Islington are set to open their doors in 2016 and 2017 respectively and will ensure parents in the area have more choice of school provision. The Islington Primary Academy will benefit from the close working partnership with the City of London School for Girls providing access to academic excellence and an enrichment programme of activities. The academies will be inclusive and cater for children of all abilities. The City of London Primary Academy Southwark will also have specialist unit, meeting the needs of students on the autistic spectrum.

Angela Murphy, City of London Corporation’s Education Strategy Advisor and lead officer for both successful bids, said: “I am delighted that we were approved to the next stage of opening these two new schools. Both are in areas of great need for expansion of primary places and we will draw on the expertise in our two already outstanding primary schools, Sir John Cass in Aldgate and Redriff in Southwark. The successful bids have been achieved through the hard work of the local teams and in close partnership with Islington and Southwark local authorities. Parents can be assured of our commitment to create schools that meet the needs of the local community and achieve the highest standards of education".

Catherine McGuinness, Chair of the Education Board at the City of London Corporation, said: “News that the two new primary schools can go ahead is very welcome. Like all City of London schools, the students will benefit from the Corporation’s strong links with businesses and cultural hubs such as the Barbican Centre and Museum of London. We have a proven track record of sponsoring academies that have achieved outstanding academic grades, and we are confident that our new primaries will accomplish similar results, as well as provide students with an enriching educational experience.”

For more information please visit- https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/education-learning/Pages/default.aspx