Letter to local councillors

12 July 2010                                                                         From:

To:

Dear

Building Schools for the Future at Dunraven School, London SW16

I am writing to ask you to support the case for Dunraven to continue in the BSF programme.

In 2000, an independent review into the condition of secondary school buildings on behalf of the Local Authority in Lambeth confirmed that two schools were in need of a full rebuild: Stockwell Park and Dunraven. As a school with a positive academic record, Dunraven was not prioritised at that time. Stockwell Park has subsequently been completely rebuilt: Dunraven’s fate still hangs in the balance.

Dunraven’s case is a strong one. The BSF programme will transform the existing school and create one main site rather than the current two site model with a busy and potentially dangerous road in between. There are currently 1000 student crossings per week which creates a management challenge and wastes valuable learning time. The condition of many of the school buildings is poor and has deteriorated as much needed work has been postponed with the promise of the BSF rebuilding and refurbishment programme. The programme offers real value for money which could not be achieved through simply ‘patching ’ existing buildings.

Over the past three years we have focussed our energy and commitment on developing the proposals for Dunraven School. We have completed the BSF process and a great deal of time, money and effort has been invested in the preparatory period. Planning permission has been granted, the contracts are ready to sign, staff are already packing their books and resources to make way for the first phase of the building works and the construction company is due to come on site at the start of August. To cancel the project at this stage would be a significant set-back for the future of the school.

The student population is diverse, reflecting Lambeth as a whole, and the school produces a high standard of care and support for our young people. Despite the condition of the buildings, the school is developing a strong reputation beyond its local community for the quality of its work, recently appearing in a Lambeth publication about Raising Achievement. We remain a very popular choice for families (1600 applications for 192 places). The BSF programme will allow us to increase our pupil intake and increase the chance of families getting a place at their local school of choice. The students and staff deserve a school building that will enhance their experience of learning and enable the school to go from strength to strength.

Please would you support Dunraven’s case to continue within the BSF programme without further delay.

Yours sincerely