I’ve just come back from the uplifting launch of the first parent promoted school in the country – Elm Green in Lambeth. We have some excellent video clips that we will post up soon.
One of the highlights was the description by the Acting Headteacher John Wilkinson of the ‘moral purpose’ of the school. The Parent Promoters Foundation act as ‘guardians of the school’s ethos’ he claimed whilst also giving the school that extra strength when needed. Whilst Elm Green does not claim any monopoly on good work with parents, the parents foundation gives a shape and legitimacy to their voices.
Picture credit: www.the-elmgreen-school.org.uk
This majestic building designed by Scott Brownrigg, built by Carillion, client enabled by David Challinor and funded as one of 2 BSF’s – is testament to a school environment that helps the school be what it wants to be – nurturing and high achieving. A splendid variety of spaces – a market square, double classrooms, smaller spaces for quiet work and stunning library – work with careful vertical tutor groups to create a place of respect.
The real truth is – this place is about a group of people – parents determined to establish and nurture secondary education in their community. As long ago as the late nineties a Lambeth Council Commission had pointed out the lack of places in the south of this long and thin London borough. In the old days, Year 6 could have gone to over 25 different secondaries and sat countless so called entrance tests.. so much for community.
The Parent Promoters Foundation acted as catalyst, in partnership with the Council, to focus Norwood’s needs onto the Council agenda. Tireless work through byzantine educational bureaucracy was navigated with the support of the Council and local MP, Tessa Jowell and her office team.
A clear lesson from this case is – it is better to campaign for something than merely against something. Working with people can have powerful results.
This school is also about optimism – the work of Head Asma Mansuri, parent promoters Sandy Nuttgens, Kate Scrase, Nigel Rogers and others deserve high praise. An optimism that comes with ambition.
Related posts:
The school featured is strictly speaking the second parent promoter school. The first was the interim school for Elmgreen, converted from a primary school on Gipsy Road. EllisWilliams were the architects for this scheme and developed the brief for the first two years of the school working closely with the head, school, parents, and Lambeth Education authority.
Hello – I’d love to see some more photos of this building, especially the market square and the ‘stunning library’ – any chance these could be uploaded? thanks
Kate
Many thanks Ty, glad you enjoyed the day. We did as well. I’ll see what I can do about getting hold of some photos for you
Nigel Rogers ( Chair of Governors)