Haberdashers' Aske’s proposes new school at fire station site

Earlier this year the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority – on the instructions of Mayor of London Boris Johnson – agreed to sell the Southwark Bridge Road complex to developers Hadston for £54 million on the basis that a new secondary school would be included in the scheme alongside dozens of new homes.

Since then the identity of the prospective operator or sponsor of the school has been the subject of local speculation.

Now the Haberdashers' Aske's Federation has invited local parents to a public meeting next Tuesday where it will put forward its proposals for a new 11-18 comprehensive and co-educational school.

If HAFT's proposal is accepted by the Department for Education, the new school would open in September 2017 or 2018, admitting 180 pupils per year as well as a sixth form with 250 places.

"We are delighted to be working with local parents to set up a new school in SE1," said Adrian Percival, chief executive of the Haberdashers' Aske's Federation.

"We hope that the distinctive Askean ethos of our schools and our values of academic excellence, personal responsibility and mutual respect will be appealing to the families in the area.

"Our schools always work in partnership with their local community, so we are looking forward to meeting more local parents on 22 September."

The Haberdashers' Aske's Federation is made up of three schools in New Cross, Bromley and Crayford.

The schools are named after Robert Aske, the 17th-century benefactor whose charitable benevolent fund is administered by the City of London's Worshipful Company of Haberdashers.

News of the Haberdashers' Aske's proposal comes in the same week as the final opportunity to visit the London Fire Brigade Museum before it closes to make way for the redevelopment of the Southwark Bridge Road complex.

The museum, at Winchester House, will open its doors for the last time on Saturday 19 September as part of Open House London.

It could take up to five years for the museum's new home on Albert Embankment to be completed.

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: "We are extremely proud of our rich history and while the move from Winchester House marks the end of an era, it is also the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the brigade which will see our rich heritage secured for generations to come.

"Open House London will be the final chance for people to visit our museum at its current location before we begin preparations to move to a new, dedicated, venue proposed for Lambeth.

"As well as giving more people the opportunity to view our collection, the move close to an operational fire station will help maintain the link between the Brigade's past and today's modern fire service."