COMPASS

14. Compass School have yet to identify a site and this non-identification of a site, both permanent and temporary, is a significant risk to the school opening as proposed in September 2013.

15. This ongoing uncertainty may result in Compass not progressing and consideration may need to be given as to how additional places could be delivered within the existing estate.

UTC

16. The DfE has approved the deferral of the opening of the UTC to September 2013. The UTC proposals are not currently progressing as a result of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of Southwark College and the potential for this to result in the non-availability of the site or the necessary ancillary facilities for the UTC. Even with the quick resolution of the site issues a September 2013 opening is unlikely to be achievable.

100 PLACES

17. Discussions and recommendations in regard to the delivery of the 100 additional places are not being progressed at this time as it is considered that these should be delivered in the context of the delivery of all the identified required places. These other proposed expansions are currently at risk due to site availability issues and should they not proceed the delivery of 100 places at a particular school may undermine site potential and funding for expansion there or elsewhere if required.

SOUTHWARK FREE SCHOOL (Primary)

18. In 2011 Southwark Free School (SFS) secured Department for Education pre- opening approval to open in September 2012. At the time of this approval the school was proposed to be established at a site in Great Dover Street.

19. In March 2012 SFS initiated a public consultation process seeking feedback from local stakeholders in regard to proposals to establish a 420 place primary school at 399 Rotherhithe New Road. The current status of this site acquisition is unknown.

20. The preferred site is not in a condition that would enable the school to be established in September 2012 and Partnerships for Schools are therefore also seeking to identify a temporary site. No temporary site has been confirmed but a September 2012 opening date is still targeted by SFS and PfS. The school was not included in the 2012/13 admissions arrangements.

The Central School of Ballet is this week celebrating a year of providing free weekly dance lessons for pupils in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.   CSB has been running a satellite school based at Alfred Salter Primary School since October last year giving local pupils free dance tuition.

An average of 80 pupils has been participating in the weekly sessions which also include pupils from Redriff and St James’s primary schools.

“We can see a greater confidence in the children who have taken part, both physically and mentally,” says Fran Burke, arts co-ordinator at Alfred Salter Primary School.

“This has had a positive effect on both their work in the classroom and at play.”

The project is funded by The Ironmongers’ Company who enable CSB to provide dance teaching staff, a pianist and a dance uniform for the pupils.

Jess Mahoney, learning and participation manager at Central School of Ballet, said: “We have been delighted with the progress made by students taking part in the first year of our exciting satellite school project.  We are now hopeful of raising sufficient funds to allow us to continue these classes during the next academic year, meaning children in Southwark can enjoy access to free regular ballet classes, learning to love dance in a safe and supportive environment.”