Last Thursday, Ronan, from the Stoke by Nayland team project was invited, along with other free school groups, to London, to visit some inspiring examples of new build and renovation/conservation architecture in London. These included, the Trinity Laban dance conservatoire http://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk and the http://www.siobhandavies.com/studios/index.html
He also had the opportunity to visit the Elmgreen School, in Lambeth. Elmgreen was the first parent promoted academy in the country, prior to the Government’s free school policy
This was a really useful meeting and the head teacher and financial manager of the school shed some really useful light on the intricacies and challenges involved in setting up an academy. The entire group was very grateful to have the chance to meet people with this unique experience in what we’re trying to achieve.
You can see the school’s website here http://www.the-elmgreen-school.org.uk
Whilst visiting the school, as part of our on going research into best practice and preparation for our stage 3 application, Ronan also met with the educationalist architect who designed Elm Court School, a SEN school once on the Elm Green Site, and now relocated a few miles away. You can also see the current head of this school discussing the benefits such an inspired design and build bring to his school.
