Elliott amphitheatre saved after council reduce land sale (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Elliott amphitheatre saved after council reduce land sale

7:20am Sunday 1st July 2012 in News

Wandsworth Council has reduced the amount of land set to be sold to fund the conversion of Putney’s Elliott School into an academy.

The changes mean more of the site can be retained for educational use and vital school amenities like its outdoor amphitheatre can be retained.

The updated proposals follow an extensive consultation period where the plans were rejected by 95 per cent of those residents who responded.

Current headteacher Mark Phillips, who has already overseen significant improvements at the school, will continue as its principal.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted that an agreement has now been reached which really does benefit our students.

"They will now gain from an amazing building being refurbished and still have ample outdoor space for sport and to socialise."

Approval for the proposed disposal of the land is being sought from the Department for Education.

The council will have to work closely with English Heritage on the refurbishment works to the school's listed buildings.

From September, education charity ARK Schools will take over the running of the school and it will convert to an £30m academy.

The new ARK Putney Academy will be a non-denominational, non-selective school open to all local children.

Save Elliott School campaigners, a group of former pupils, have spent months putting pressure on the council to amend their original proposals.

For more information visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/arkputneyacademy.

To read more about the campaign visit saveelliottschool.tumblr.com/