Jump to content

Harris Academy (new boys school for East Dulwich)


Recommended Posts

Prediction:


Within five years of opening:


The selection criteria will exclude most working class boys. Very few of the pupils will be from North of Peckham Road/Peckham High Street. Many parents will be those who can't afford, or won't pay, the fees for Alleyns or Dulwich College. The property prices in the East Dulwich Bermuda Triangle will double. The school will be renamed "Honor Oak".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes there is a Harris Academy in Peckham Rye and also one in Bermondsey. Both were sink schools back in my day, one being Alwyn Girls and the other Waverley Girls. I think I read somewhere that there is a Lord Harris of Dulwich. I wonder if they are named for him? Anyone know this?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Academies are privately sponsored state schools which are run outside of local authority control. They are new schools set up to replace the failing ones; the government puts in up to ?30m to build the school and the sponsor donates ?2m, then is granted control of the school's governing body."


http://education.guardian.co.uk/newschools/story/0,,1568357,00.html


Harris academies are sponsored by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Harris_of_Peckham


and a whole bundle of schools make up http://www.harrisfederation.org.uk/


There is a lot of opposition to academies due to their undemocratic nature.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's an "exciting" business opportunity here.


With the girls' school and the boys' school taken together there will be 1900 pupils plus a couple of hundred staff.


I see an opening for a profitable unhealthy food shop on the Forest Hill Road parade. It could sell sweets, crisps, cakes, biscuits, pies, fizzy drinks, and ice creams. It could also double up as a dinner-time and after school chippie and burger bar.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seriously folks this has become a very urgent and worrying issue. Those of us that live in the vicinity are somewhat aghast at the scale of the new proposals and the impact they will have on the houses and streets around the school. 350 girls was one thing ....950 boys on such a small site is quite another! Local residents are not against the development of the site as a school or sixth form centre but not on this scale and housed in a new 4 storey building that will cover most of the site. There is an urgent campaign to get a proper consultation exercise done and local councillors etc are now involved. A website has just been set up - very new so more stuff is to be added. Take a look and lend your support if you can. www.edge-campaign.co.uk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you, anntidote.


I was wondering about the site-size to pupil ratio. I see the answer may be to exclude residents from 4.2 acres of Peckham Rye Park.


Is there any hard information about increasing the girls at Waverley School (now Sports Academy?) to 950?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not so sure about the girls school.. I've seen the plans for the boys' school and they're really worrying. The building they propose is 4 storeys high and comes right up to the boundaries on most sides, with little outside space. I personally think it will be a shame to lose the lovely Victorian building that is already there but even if they do have to build a new one, the one they propose is really too big and 950 pupils is just too many.


Please have a look at www,edge-campaign.co.uk, it's all there.


There is a meeting this Sunday 24 June at Upper Hall, Harris Girls' Academy, Homestall Road at 4.30 to 6pm. PLEASE ATTEND TO LEND YOUR SUPPORT.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting to note:

Whilst the potential opening of a duplicate greetings card shop or where to get a decent cup of coffee has forum users locked in hot debate, plans for a controversial new school in SE22 seem to be generating less than a murmer.


Apart from the fact that the old victorian building seems destined for the chop, the new school is hopelessly oversized, has virtually no outside space and only one non-residential road running past it which (as anyone will note who's walked or driven down it) isn't capable of serving a school of this size. Everybody knows we need a new boys school in the area, but this is not the answer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Im not sure if people are against the size of the proposal or the nature of the school (academy)


I can definitely see the impact on those living nearby but I'm at a loss as to what people's solution is. Is there a better location/locations for multiple schools? If it was multiple instead of one big one are there not cost implications? With so many people having children in the area there is only going to be increased demand for "this type of thing"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Whipping up quite a scare story, aren't you Bob? School run pickings on Northcross Road indeed. (this in reference to your post on the Piermont Green thread)


I like the idea of a spanking new school. Can't see why a nondescript Victorian building needs to be saved - perhaps its fascia if it is deemed noteworthy in some way. Building will occupy present site only. Perhaps if there are parking/ traffic problems there are other ways round that than denying the community a school, or imposing only a small one on it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think I was attempting to appeal to the selfish interests of forum users there (it usually works)


As I said, everyone wants a new school, Ted. But (regardless of the traffic issues) the government's own guidelines deem that this school is twice the recommended size for the amount of land it is to be built on.


Does this not ring any warning bells?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes it does. Perhaps better to object then on the grounds of the educational value to the students, and working environment of the teachers, than on the usual pres-the-button parking/ traffic/ naughty schoolkids angles.


(and to be fair you have done the former, too, I'm not unaware)


(EDIT. "Not unaware = "aware". Sorry, forgot I'm not being paid by the word!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

incredible - after years of campaigning for a new secondary school for local boys there is now a campaign to stop it - or at least force it through more and more layers of consulations, investigations and, inevitably, delays.

This has to be one of the most ludicrous examples of nimbyism I've heard of and those involved should take a long hard look at themsleves. Could some of the members of the "Edge" campaign be so kind as to suggest alternate locations? (I am at least assuming you accept the urgent need for such a school in East Dulwich). I would be fascinated to see where they are, I am guessing most will be at least half a mile of so from your back yards.


950 pupils too many? Oh so sorry. How many would you like? 448? 24? 949? Do you have any idea how long people have been pleading for more secondary school places in the area? Maybe some members of the "Edge" are lucky enough to go private but for some of us that's not an option .


And before you ask, yes I live nearby and will be affected by any increase in traffic that may ensue. Howevever I accept that as an inevitable consequence of living in a society that believes providing sufficient school places for local children is a good thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

gotta say that i totally agree with Ted and Dibble, sounds like a lot of nimbyism to me


yeah the proposed building's big, but it's on the park and if part of the park is taken from dog walkers for the benefit of school children then they'll be no complaints from me

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • The plans The developer Berkeley Homes have submitted a planning application to redevelop the Aylesham Centre close to the junction of Peckham High Street and Rye Lane, containing Morrison’s supermarket, car park, & petrol station, Aylesham shopping arcade and most of that side of Rye Lane between Hanover Park and Peckham High Street. The application is for a mixed housing, retail, leisure and commercial development, in buildings ranging from 5 to 20 storeys. Impact Local people who have studied the detailed plans think that the development would dominate the historic town centre which has evolved since the 18th century, and would ruin the Conservation Area which was awarded in 2011 'to preserve and enhance its character and appearance'. More than 65% of the homes to be built in this unimaginative over-bearing development will be unaffordable by most people who live in Southwark, and provide inadequate open and green space for this part of Peckham. Need for discussion This is such an important issue for south London that it needs wide discussion before the Council Planning Committee takes its decision (not before next Spring). A free on-line talk and discussion to clarify the heritage issues we all need to think about is being held on Monday 11th November 7-8.30pm. All will be welcome. Please register on this link: https://Defend-Peckhams-Heritage-2024.eventbrite.co.uk There are several other key issues raised by the plans which are being examined in the Aylesham Community Action (ACA) campaign. You can find the link to all that and other useful information here: www.linktr.ee/acapeckham The zoom session is being arranged by Peckham Heritage the local group that has grown from the community work alongside the restoration of nine historic buildings in Peckham High Street through the Townscape Heritage Initiative. We hope that EDF members who value local heritage will be able to attend the session to hear and take part in the discussion, and report back to this topic so the discussion can continue.
    • I did see a few Victoria bound 185's on East Dulwich road around 5pm this evening. Coming from the Rye end and heading toward Goose green
    • I cant quite pinpoint where she is exactly. But currently notice I am not hearing her this evening!! She has a microphone? 
    • Hi all,  I am on the hunt for one adult ticket for the fireworks this Saturday.    thanks so much in advance 
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...