Go-ahead for new Walworth Academy

The Walworth Academy, sponsored by charity ARK (Absolute Return for Kids), replaced the previous Walworth School.

Currently split between two sites, the new academy will be consolidated on the Shorncliffe Road site. The new building will be built on the existing playground whilst the school continues to operate in the current buildings.

The new academy, designed by Building Design Partnership (BDP), will be able to accommodate 1140 students, compared to the 625 students currently based at the site.

It is planned that many of the academy's facilities – including an auditorium and multi-use games area – will be available for community use after school and at weekends.

Sara Browning, Southwark Schools for the Future project director, told the planning committee that the new development is "a fantastic opportunity for the local community" and that the academy will play a key role in "place-shaping that part of the borough".

ARK is also sponsoring the new Globe Academy in Harper Road which will this September replace the existing Geoffrey Chaucer Technology College.

• Last week the Walworth Academy was visited by Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg and Conservative leader David Cameron.