A Merton school for children with special needs was shortlisted for a London Planning Award this month.
By Chris Mandle
A Merton school for children with special needs was shortlisted for a London Planning Award this month.
St Ann’s Special Educational Needs Centre for Excellence, part of Merton Council, is one of four projects shortlisted in the Best Project Category of the prestigious awards, which take place on January 20 2011 at City Hall.
The school’s state-of-the-art motion-sensor ventilation and biomass boiler have been praised by Natural England, who say the building will increase natural flora and biodiversity.
Merton Council cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, Councillor Andrew Judge, said: “The new site is going to be an incredible asset to the borough and will provide invaluable learning resources to young people with special educational needs from all over South West London.”
The site will increase student capacity from 90 to 112 and opens in early 2011. Students are aged 11 to 19 and St Ann’s will provide community facilities and resources for therapy and disabled sport.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson will present the awards with Deputy Mayor Sir Simon Milton.
Tina Harvey, head teacher of St Ann’s, said she was thrilled with the school’s nomination.
“This fantastic new build, with its excellent range of facilities, will have a huge positive impact on the education of our secondary-aged pupils,” she said.
The London Planning Awards showcase planning in public and private sectors. Organised by London First, The Mayor of London, Royal Town Planning Institute and London Councils, it celebrates the outstanding contribution of planners and is attended by leading developers and prominent local government officials.
