London,
16
March
2015
|
13:40
Europe/London

Parliament Hill and William Ellis schools get the green light for improvements

Plans to provide much needed improved accommodation at Parliament Hill and William Ellis schools, plus a new sixth form centre have just been agreed.

Over £20 million will be invested in the two schools, funded by our Community Investment Programme (CIP).The CIP is our 15 year plan to invest money in schools, homes and community facilities. We’re doing this by redeveloping or selling buildings or land that are underused or expensive to maintain. This will help us generate funds that are not otherwise available to reinvest into improving other services and facilities.

The current school buildings are restrictive, vary in age and condition with major work required to some buildings to make them suitable for use and to meet current standards. The improvements will offer a once in a generation opportunity to create new energy efficient learning spaces with state of the art facilities. Students, staff and governors of the two schools, as well as the local community got the chance to be involved in shaping the design of the new areas through extensive consultation, including focus groups and public exhibitions. As a result of the feedback the designs were amended to improve the appearance of new buildings from neighbouring properties and Hampstead Heath, and to improve views of the historic Parliament Hill school building from Highgate Road.

Parliament Hill will have improved science accommodation, sports facilities, separate dining facilities and a brand new teaching block. At William Ellis, the plans include a new-build extension for food technology and music teaching spaces and internal layout changes to provide better teaching and learning spaces. Both schools will have extensive building condition repairs and improvements in their energy efficiency.

A purpose built sixth-form centre will provide improved spaces for personal and collaborative study for the shared sixth form and wider La Swap community – giving students a better environment to learn in, with the aim of helping them to achieve and excel.