Councillor Lorna Reith, cabinet member for children

Site of Tottenham’s new free school revealed

by Flora Drury Wednesday, May 9, 2012
6:20 PM

The location of a new free school in Tottenham has finally been revealed with just months to go before it opens – but pupils will still be in temporary classrooms for the next three years.

The free school is to be situated on the Brook House site, on the High Road, as part of a proposed mixed residential development by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and Newlon Housing Trust from September 2015.

The delay means the 120 pupils set to enrol in Reception and Year One this September will have to use temporary classrooms at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North-East London (CONEL) for the next three academic years.

Despite the delay, Cllr Lorna Reith, cabinet member for children, welcomed the announcement. She said: “I am pleased that E-Act has announced the location. Data shows that we will need more places at Haringey primary schools in the future but legislation prevents the council from building new schools, which is how we would prefer to deal with demand.”

But while it will mean pressure on primary school places in the surrounding area will be eased, the announcement of the school’s new home was met with anger from some in the local community. Northumberland Park councillor Sheila Peacock said: “I am shocked – the first I heard of it was today (Tuesday). There has not been any consultation with any of the three ward councillors. I have rung Newlon, which owns the site, and I have demanded a meeting with them and whoever else is involved. I am not happy.”

For more information about the school visit www.proposedharingeye-actfreeschool.org.