A New Era for John Perryn School

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Goldfish steals show as Vernon Coaker attends school opening

The new John Perryn Primary School in East Acton was officially launched this week after undergoing a £8.9million transformation.

After 17 months of building work which saw the old school demolished, the School celebrated its new building this week with an opening ceremony attended by Schools Minister Vernon Coaker, MP for Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush Andy Slaughter, Ealing Council leader Jason Stacey, Mayor Barbara Yerolemou, Tim Byles from Partnership for Schools, Ealing Council Leader Jason Stacey, Inspector Andrew Deane from the Acton Safer Neighbourhood Teams, local councillor Kate Crawford, and a number of people who have supported the school support throughout the re-building process.

During the ceremony, led by Head teacher Von Smith, children proudly read and spoke about their new surroundings and their hopes for the future. However, a goldfish called Moby Dick probably stole the show even though he was not visible through his temporary home - a white plastic bucket. Ms Smith had rescued him from a pond on the school grounds which most people didn't even know was there.

Moby Dick is soon to be allowed to inhabit his new home, but first he was going to spend a little more time at home with Ms Smith.

John Perryn has been rebuilt from scratch to create a modern school equipped with bright, spacious classrooms, the latest computer technology and new outdoor play areas.

Facilities for the wider community were also built including a 25-place children’s centre and adult learning rooms.

Strong consideration was given to the environment throughout the project, with the new school using renewable energy sources for heating and achieving a 53% reduction in carbon emissions. Demolition materials were recycled while old desks and chairs were donated to schools in developing countries.

Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said: “We want to make sure our children get the best start in life, and so they deserve the best facilities that we can build and teachers deserve better classrooms to work in. It’s great to see the children, teachers and families at John Perryn Primary School enjoying their new state-of-the-art primary school. Schools are at the heart of their communities, and that is why we are investing over £7billion to rebuild and refurbish primary schools across the country.”

Touring the new facilities, Councillor Stacey said: “The new John Perryn school has set the standard for the Primary Capital Programme across the country. The school has been completely transformed, creating a setting that will help raise standards and encourage excellence from both teachers and pupils.”

Headteacher of John Perryn, Von Smith, said: “The new school has completely transformed our working and learning lives. Our learning spaces are quieter and brighter, teachers have room to be creative and the pupils are loving their new laptops and play areas. We’ve all been involved in the development of the school and we’re all sharing in its benefits: staff retention is higher than ever and last month our pupils got the best results we’ve ever had.”

Ms Smith contined: "We love our new space and I have been amazed by how harmonious this whole rebuilding process has been."

 

October 9, 2009