I had the pleasure of visiting Carew Academy in Wallington today.
It was a delight to take a tour of the school with Headteacher, Mr Rob Watkins, to see the pupils and staff at work. It was clear from the tour that the pupils have access to some of the best teaching and care there is. The pupils were happy and the staff were dedicated, and I want to thank them for doing such a good job for some of Carshalton and Wallington's most vulnerable children.
However, it was also clear that they are facing real difficulties.
Given the age of the building, there are maintenance issues, including the rooms and corridors being too hot or cold at the height of the summer and winter seasons. In addition, it has very poor accessibility, such as no lifts or disabled ramps in the main building. Finally, they are at capacity and there is a need to expand.
The Academy Trust do currently have plans to build a 246-place SEN school, which the Council has identified the Sheen Way Playing Fields in Beddington as the site for.
You can view the plans for the new school on Sheen Way here.
I share the concerns of local residents about the appropriateness of having a school here, with such narrow roads and parking difficulties among the problem with having it here - not to mention the loss of a local green space.
Our children deserve the very best we can offer them, and we can do better than this. I totally support Carew Academy's need for a new school, and I will fight for a better site for our most vulnerable children to go to school.
