School refurbishment finished for new school term

Pupils returned to the school and sixth form in Clissold Road after the summer holidays to find a landscaped playground with basketball courts, table tennis tables, astro-turf pitch and fitness trail at their disposal.

It was the third and final phase of the government-funded Building Schools for the Future (BSF) refurbishment, which cost �17m.

The school benefitted from the BSF programme just in time - because the previous Labour government’s initiative has now been scrapped in the new coalition’s cutbacks.

The school and sixth form in Clissold Road now has a new dining hall, “super loos” designed to try to reduce bullying, a reconditioned library, two gyms and a sports hall.

Head teacher Annie Gammon said: “I think the playground looks more like a park, and the pupils are enjoying having such a well thought out space.

“It’s fantastic to come back to a lovely new building, because for the last two years we have had builders and temporary classrooms on site.”

The refurbishment is considered outstanding, and the school has featured on the front page of this month’s Royal Institute of British Architects journal.

Architects Jestico and Whiles will lead regular tours round the school on Saturday between 10am to 5pm, as part of Open House London - where over 700 great buildings will be accessible to all.

Stoke Newington Town Hall in Church Street, which was restored to its former Art Deco glory last year, will also be open to the public on Sunday between 10am to 4pm. Tours must be pre-booked on www.openhouselondon.co.uk.