Government gives Drapers' Academy go ahead

Havering's first and only academy has escaped the government's cost-cutting measures and will get the new buildings previously promised.  Last month Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, threatened to curtail the building of over 130 new academies while he reviewed their "value for money".  Drapers' Academy, due to open in Harold Hill in September, has now heard that it is among one of 44 which will restart immediately.  Construction will commence early in the new school term and be completed in 2012.

Matthew Slater, the Academy' first Principal, was delighted with the outcome.  "This is wonderful news and justifies all the work and dedication by the sponsors, the London Borough of Havering and others over the past two years.  This is going to make a real difference to education and the children of Harold Hill.  We can't wait to get going."

Drapers' Academy takes over King's Wood School on 1 September and all teaching will take place in the southern block and range of temporary accommodation for  science teaching and girls' changing rooms.  At the same time work will start on demolishing the old northern block and creating the new buildings that will become an outstanding Harold Hill school for Harold Hill families.  The extensive grounds will also be landscaped and upgraded to provide much improved sports facilities.

The buildings will provide exceptional facilities, especially for the teaching of science and maths, the Academy's specialisations.  A sixth form will also come into being once the new buildings are ready and will enhance the links with Queen Mary and provide a unique link from school to university.

Adrian Lyons, Master of The Drapers' Company and Chair of Governors, said, 'This is really great news, not just for those of us who are setting up Drapers' Academy, but also for families on Harold Hill.  The £27m investment in a new building will create an outstanding opportunity to create a really great school. I am really grateful for those, especially at London Borough of Havering, who have worked so hard over the past month on behalf of the Academy to convince Michael Gove that this project can go ahead.'