Recruitment of Head Teacher

The sponsors have begun their search for a Head for the new Academy, and it is hoped that an appointment can be made during the summer so that he/she can take up the post in April 2010, four terms ahead of the opening date of September 2011. This will enable the new Head to make contact with the local community in good time and plan for the opening of the school with the sponsors’ partner schools and advisory team.

The advertisement is set out below and is running in the Times Education Supplement (http://www.tes.co.uk/) and online service throughout May 2009. For an information pack please contact Amanda Philips at amandap@mercers.co.uk . The closing date for applications is midday Monday 1st June 2009

Site Works - First phase of building operations

The first phase of building operations will be the demolition by the Local Authority of Stamford House itself, which has now been vacated and we hope that this work will start in late May. Inevitably the demolition phase will be the most disruptive part of the project but it will be completed as quickly as possible and to the very best standards available to the industry by Lancebox Ltd, a well known and highly reputable demolition contractor. Lancebox will be ensuring that local residents are kept fully informed of progress and will have a point of contact for any difficulties that arise during the duration of their contract.

The main contract works in order to enable the school to open for September 2011 will be placed out to competitive tender to a panel of national contractors selected for their known expertise in handling schools in difficult and restricted sites especially in and around London. The work is expected to start in September with a contract to provide pile foundations followed by the steel frame and cladding.

Again, the contractor, when appointed, will keep local residents informed on progress and it is anticipated that a regular newsletter will be published by them so everybody can be kept up to date with the project on site. Contact numbers for any difficulties will be provided.

Working hours will be strictly controlled entirely in accordance with the normal requirements of the local Borough and will be monitored by the Building Control Officer for the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham as well as the local environmental health officer. Hours for noisy working will be restricted to Monday to Friday 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. and, on occasion, Saturday 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Noisy working outside these hours will not be permitted.

The local authority and the sponsors fully appreciate that construction sites are never entirely welcome; however this one will be managed as sensitively as possible as we seek to achieve the end target which is an important new and highly innovative school for the local residents of Hammersmith & Fulham. This project has received cross-party support, from the Minister of State to the local authority and from local residents who have been so supportive during the public consultation process.

Academy planning permission granted

(CGI image of Academy viewed from Cathnor Park)

Following extensive public consultation, especially with the local residents of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, planning permission for the Academy was granted on the 4th of March 2009 subject to technical legal details which have now been discharged.

The Funding Agreement between the sponsors, the Mercers’ Company and the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, and the Department for Children, Schools and Families is expected early in May 2009.

(Model of Academy)

(Model of Academy Entrance)