Call for a full and proper inquiry into the redevelopment of Holland Park School

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBK&C) intends to demolish the existing Holland Park School building worth 40 million (which has been praised in its 2003 Ofsted report), and replace it with a multi-storey (7 9 floors) glass tower (costing: for the building 60 million; plus professional fees and contingencies 20 million). This development is built on a smaller footprint, and on the existing site to make land available for a luxury housing development. Already the RBK&C has spent 2 million on proposals made by its hired professionals and contractors. A fraction of this money could have provided these children with a viable linguistics department, a coherent sports programme, and well maintained sports facilities.

Under the current proposals the school will lose nearly one third of its land, and 1350 1500 pupils aged 11 18 will be left to be educated for 2 4 years on or next to a building site. During this time their school will be the confined space of porta-cabins, amidst the dust, dirt, and deafening noise of construction. After completion, future generations of pupils will be left with a 120 million, untested architectural glass tower, which may look good on paper, but once built may prove to be inadequate or even unfit for purpose.

We call for the Secretary of State for the DfES, the National Audit Office, and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to examine the redevelopment of Holland Park School project:

Independent of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and the its hired professionals/contractors (who may stand to gain from being awarded lucrative contracts).

For its commercial and financial viability.

And to scrutinise the planning process staged for this case, where (RBK&C) sits in judgement of its own application, raising the issue of conflict of interest.

Irrespective of race, religion, ethnic origin, Nationality, social, economic, and family background these children do not deserve to be educated on or next to a building site for up to four years.

We implore the Prime Minister and the higher echelon of the government to add their voice to ours in this call.

(After all, the interest of the child is paramount to all and all other interests are subservient to it.)