Around Ealing September 2018 | Page 23

SCHOOLS Growing places St John’s Primary School recently celebrated reopening a new, larger building, reports Jack Butler. T he revamped school in West Ealing is significantly bigger and is now able to accept more pupils, as part of Ealing Council’s plans to make more places available for primary school pupils across the borough. St John’s will now have a three-form entry – previously it was oversubscribed with two-form entry. Today the school boasts places for 600 pupils, 100 nursery aged children and specialist resources for children with special education needs. To celebrate moving in, the school put on a show. This included a dance performance from year 6, a play from reception and a musical performance as special guests arrived. These guests included mayor of Ealing, Councillor Tejinder Dhami; Councillor Yvonne Johnson, cabinet member for schools and children’s services; and Pie Corbett, an educational trainer, author and poet. Councillor Johnson said: “It is important to increase the number of school places in the borough to meet the growing demand for spaces and, for that reason, I am delighted that St John’s will be reopening, allowing more children into its classrooms. St John’s opening its doors to more students really is something that we can all celebrate. “I would like to thank all of the local residents, families, and council officers for their help in bringing this regeneration project to life.” The new building was constructed next to the old 1970s structure, meaning there was minimum disruption to the children. And, when they returned from their Christmas break, the pupils and staff were able to head straight into the new building. As part of the ongoing masterplan for the site, the original school will now be demolished to provide new homes: Around 770 in total, of which more than 400 will be available for affordable rent and shared ownership homes. For a video of the new building, visit ealingnewsextra.co.uk/ features/st-johns-school-celebrates- reopening Councillor Johnson and Ealing mayor Councillor Tejinder Dhami with Pie Corbett and others at the opening. around ealing    September 2018 23