Public meetings on new primary school

The meetings will give parents the chance to learn more about the proposed new primary in Franciscan Road, which would be a free school sponsored by the popular and successful Graveney School.

Sixty pupils would be admitted into two reception classes each year from September 2013 onwards, eventually creating places for 420 children in total, covering an age range from four to 11.

The school would be run as an educational trust in partnership with Graveney, which has for many years been one of the borough's highest performing secondaries. The new primary would be overseen by Graveney but would have its own headteacher and teaching staff.

It would be located in the former school building, now known as the Professional Centre, which has been used for many years as a training centre for teachers and to house a number of education services.

The two meetings for parents will be held later this week at:

Graveney School in Welham Road on Thursday, February 9 between 2pm and 5pm.
The Professional Centre in Franciscan Road on Friday, February 10 between 2pm and 5pm

In order for the plans to move forward and the new school to become a reality, local parents need to show they support the idea. The deadline for registering support is Friday, February 24, 2012.

Parents can complete the brief online survey at http://www.graveney.org/ or return a copy of the questionnaire contained in a leaflet about the new school that is circulating throughout Tooting. Copies of the leaflet are available at Tooting Library and at nurseries and playgroups in the area.

Parents can also email responses to consultation@graveney.wandsworth.sch.uk or write to Graveney School, Welham Road, Tooting, London SW17 9BU.

The town hall's education spokesman Cllr Kathy Tracey said: "We have come up with a local solution to the local challenge we will face in the coming years on primary school places.

"To meet the growth in demand from Tooting parents and to ensure they have the widest possible choice for the education of their children, we have worked closely with Graveney School in drawing up plans for a new primary school in the area.

"The beauty of these proposals is that firstly they utilise an existing council-owned building and therefore offer the best value for money for local taxpayers and secondly they harness the talents and skills of the very dedicated and successful staff, governors and trustees at Graveney.

"What is important now is that local parents are given the opportunity to have their say. Without their support these proposals will not get off the ground so it is vital that parents of children aged under four take part in the survey before the February 24 deadline."

Graveney's principal Graham Stapleton said: "Graveney School has a long history as an outstanding school. Its most recent Ofsted report said that its 'excellent balance of nurture and challenge makes a real difference to children's lives'.

"This proposed new school would provide the same vision and ethos for younger pupils who would also benefit from Graveney's expertise and its excellent sporting and academic facilities."