London school playgrounds in 'disrepair' to be revamped with £300k bonus

King Solomon Academy in London. This is the site on Penfold Street.
-Credit: (Image: Google)


A Westminster school is set to receive almost £300,000 in council funding to improve playgrounds ‘in disrepair’ and lacking ‘functionality’. The money will go to two King Solomon Academy sites; one for children from years five to 13 in Penfold Street and the other for those from nursery to year four in Crompton Street.

King Solomon Academy is a non-denominational school that is part of the Ark Schools education charity. The proposed works are to be funded via the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a charge imposed on new developments to support local infrastructure projects.

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A portion of CIL is allocated to neighbourhood community schemes, such as that at King Solomon. The funding proposal is to go before Westminster City Council’s Cabinet next Monday (October 21) and is recommended to be approved.

According to a report prepared by council officers, since 2016 the school has undergone an expansion in a bid to increase its capacity. It has previously received £200,000 in CIL funding to improve accessibility to the younger years site on Crompton Street.

On the proposed improvements officers wrote: “The project aims to transform the current five outdoor spaces, which are in disrepair and lack functionality, into accessible and safe areas. These improvements will inspire and enhance social and learning skills amongst pupils. The design will maximize (sic) the potential of the existing spaces, catering especially to the needs of pupils with SEND, and those without access to outdoor space outside of school.”

Resurfacing a 3G pitch at the Crompton Street site and works to a reception playground at Penfold Street are among the items listed as part of the project.

The Cabinet paper also includes a proposed £394,000 for a series of outdoor gyms and multi-use games areas in Church Street and on the Churchill Estate. This is similarly recommended to be approved next week.

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