Minister confirms East Dulwich academy commitment

Southwark Liberal Democrat Council chiefs have secured a renewed commitment from Schools Minister Lord Adonis to the early opening of the proposed Harris Boys Academy in East Dulwich if a suitable site can be found.

Southwark Liberal Democrat Council Leader Nick Stanton and Executive Member for Education Caroline Pidgeon met with Lord Adonis yesterday to discuss plans for academies in the borough.

“We stressed to the Minister that we wanted to see the new East Dulwich boys’ school open as soon as possible,” said Cllr Nick Stanton, Liberal Democrat Leader of Southwark Council. “We want the permanent site to be open in 2009 and a temporary school open from September 2008.”
“The Minister confirmed that the funding for the temporary school would still be available from him if a suitable site can be found.”

Cllr Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Education, added:
“The search for a suitable temporary site goes on. We are working with the Education Department and with the Harris Schools project board to identify a site that can be open for 2008. No options have been ruled out at this point.”