Work begins on new academy

Friday June 26, 2009

A brand-new school in the centre of Hammersmith is under construction.

Building work began on Thursday, 11 June with the demolition of the former Stamford House children's home on Melina Road. The new school is scheduled to open to Year 7 and Year 12 pupils from September 2011.

Sponsored by the Mercers' Company and the Information Technologists' Company, Hammersmith Academy will be a neighbourhood school for children of all abilities and will have specialisms in creative and digital media and information technology. It will cater for 780 students aged 11 to 18.

The new academy is part of a major expansion of school choice across H&F. The council wants to see a massive increase in the numbers of pupils getting into their top choice local schools.

The developers are promising that work on the site will be strictly controlled to minimise noise and disruption, and point to the major benefits the project will bring to local people.

Daniel Hodson, Master of the Mercers' Company, said: "We are delighted that the construction project is now under way and look forward to opening the academy to students in 2011.

"This represents an important milestone on the journey towards the creation of another centre of educational excellence for the citizens of Hammersmith."

H&F cabinet member for community and children's services, Councillor Antony Lillis, said: "This new school is not only renewing and revitalising a disused site but it is also breathing new life into our vision for schools of choice in H&F.

"We want to give children the best start in life, and as we already have some of the most oversubscribed schools in London, this will be another chance for children to get into their chosen school."

Josephine Connell, The Master Information Technologist, from the Information Technologists' Company, said: "We are excited by this opportunity to sponsor a school that will equip young people to be leaders in the digital age"

Innovation is promised. The school day will be arranged into two three-hour sessions followed by a third session of extra curricular activities. Unlike traditional schools, where students have five or more lessons, this system will provide more contact time and continuity between teachers and students and reduce disruption to the school day.

The academy will work closely with local residents on a number of issues, and will make sure that the beginning and end of the school day, in particular, runs smoothly for everyone. There will be a breakfast club before school; staggered break times and third session activities in the afternoon will also mean staggered arrival and departure times.

The academy will have a multi-use games area, a sports hall, fitness suite, theatre and dance studio and local groups will be encouraged to make use of these amenities out of school hours.

The site is well situated for work-related learning opportunities for students and for collaboration with the two St Paul's schools. It is also close to a number of IT and media centres in west London.