Moreland primary school transformation hits new heights

An historic high point has been reached in the transformation and expansion of a primary school in south Islington.

Moreland Primary School is being given a completely new home on its current site in Moreland Street, off Goswell Road, with fantastic new learning facilities helping expand its capacity.

From the new academic year in September, Moreland will become a two-form entry primary school – starting with an extra 30 places in nursery and reception years – with a children’s centre, providing childcare from two years old and education from nursery age right through primary education, preparing children for secondary school.

The new design makes the most of available space and will boast two rooftop play areas, a terrace for the children’s centre and three small classroom terraces. There will also be a multi-use games area (MUGA), a hall and a studio for the pupils.

Construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall is delivering the works, which began on the site during the summer of 2015. Last week the Mayor of Islington Cllr Kat Fletcher, Islington Council’s leader Cllr Richard Watts and executive member for children and families Cllr Joe Caluori visited to celebrate the building reaching its highest point.

They were joined on a tour of the site by Ann Dwulit and David Forsdick, Moreland’s executive headteacher and chair of governors respectively, and several pupils.

Also present was Richard Dobson, area director for contractor Morgan Sindall, Bunhill ward councillor Claudia Webbe, and Carmel Littleton and Mark Taylor, the council’s directors of children’s services and learning and schools respectively.

Cllr Caluori said: “We want to give all young children in Islington the strongest start in life in the best possible learning environments.

“This project makes innovative use of the site to get the most out of it for the benefit of pupils, teachers and the wider community.

“I look forward to seeing the new, expanded school build on its success and offer more pupils than ever the chance to get a first-class education in fantastic, modern surroundings.”

Ann Dwulit, executive headteacher at Moreland, which recently achieved its first-ever ‘good’ Ofsted rating, said: “Reaching the highest point in this build is the latest milestone in the continuous improvements we are making at the school.

“It is encouraging to see our new home take shape and we are all excited for the future, building on a fantastic Ofsted inspection result just weeks ago.

“The new building will let us provide a truly dynamic curriculum, embracing the principles of excellence and enjoyment.”

Richard Dobson, area director at Morgan Sindall, said: “The Moreland Primary School and Children’s Centre scheme will provide an innovative and open-plan learning space for children in Islington and help to alleviate demand for school places.

“It has been wonderful to see so much enthusiasm from the children and staff at the school who are eagerly anticipating moving into their new, spacious classrooms later this year.

“Morgan Sindall is well-versed in delivering education projects of this nature and scale and we look forward to completing this project on time and on budget.”

Alongside the latest ICT technology the school will boast a library/learning resource centre, multi-functional halls, group rooms and hub areas.

Once it moves into the new buildings during the autumn term, the old 1960s school will be demolished and replaced by new outdoor play areas, with the transformation complete the following spring.

As a two-form entry school it will eventually provide 420 places, plus a 52-place nursery and a children’s centre on the same site.

The school, in Bunhill ward, has been in a successful federation with neighbouring St Luke's School since 2011, under the leadership of Mrs Dwulit.

As part of the overhaul Moreland will be connected to the Bunhill district heating network, which is currently being expanded to offer cheaper heat to hundreds more homes in the area.

The school project is part of the wider regeneration of the adjacent Kings Square Estate.

New, high-quality and energy-efficient council housing will also be built on the edge of the current school site as part of this.