Heathfield Academy, the latest new school to be completed in Croydon, has opened this week.
The newly-completed £10million forms part of Croydon Council’s programme of building and expanding schools, being delivered by Willmott Dixon, to meet the growing demand for school places.
It has been handed over to Step Academy Trust and co-headteacher Lana-Lea O’Keefe said: “It’s so good to now be settled in, and the children are all loving the new building.
“Willmott Dixon have done a really great job getting the building ready, and we are well ahead of schedule to get the outside play areas finished before Christmas.
“Our new team are also a huge asset, and every member of staff knows how important their role is in ensuring that our children have an excellent education. We are doing our best to create a family environment – so, for example, we do family dining at lunch time where staff and children sit at round tables, serving each other and giving children further opportunities to develop their social skills.”
The new school admits up to 60 pupils each year, and already has 97 children enrolled after spending two years in temporary accommodation while building work was completed.
Once at capacity as many as 420 pupils will be taught at Heathfield in its 14 classrooms. The school also has two halls, an ICT suite, library, and a learning deck on the roof, as well as small group rooms and a therapy space to support children with special educational needs.
Heathfield has two headteachers sharing responsibility for leading the school with Ms O’Keefe joined by Rachael Atkinson.
Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning, said: “This beautiful new school is a brilliant addition to Croydon’s ever-growing number of places where parents can choose to send their children. Croydon has invested hugely in ensuring every child has a place, and as a result every parent who applies on time is assured of getting an offer.”