Cherry Garden Primary School celebrates official opening

22 May 2019

Cllrs Jasmine Ali and Johnson Situ were joined by Harriet Harman MP and Cllr Sandra Rhule Mayor of Southwark to  mark the opening of the newly built Cherry Garden Primary School.

The completely rebuilt school, larger than the previous building,  can now accommodate 85 pupils with special education needs including children with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

The Peckham school is home to specialist facilities including a trampoline room for rebound therapy to aide the development of motor skills, body awareness, balance, coordination and communication.

Cherry Garden also boasts the new addition of a hydrotherapy pool with climate control so students stay warm when going from the pool to the changing room. 
Other specialist features include a sensory room, art room, music room, music therapy room, food technology room and two soft play rooms. There are also dedicated support areas for teachers to work with parents on continuing pupil development outside the school environment. In addition, the new building has a training room to train teachers from other schools who work with pupils with SEND.

As well as wider corridors to encourage independent mobility, there is hoist coverage across the school including in all classrooms so that all areas are fully accessible. Classrooms are also served by large fully equipped hygiene rooms.

The lower level of the school contains the Key Stage One and Key Stage Two classrooms with play areas divided up into a beach theme area, jungle area and sport area, all of which have been designed to assist the school in teaching the pupils how to navigate the real world environment and challenge the pupils in all aspects, whilst still being fun.

The school is beginning to build up links with the local community including local schools and are keen to continue to develop positive partnerships locally.

Cllr Jasmine Ali, cabinet member for children, schools and adult care said: “This school is absolutely breathtaking. The facilities here are fantastic and I’m sure they will be hugely beneficial to pupils’ development. Community is really at the heart of this school so that not only will Cherry Garden pupils benefit from the specialist features but other children too.

“I am incredibly proud that we have a school like this in the borough delivering outstanding education provision and ensuring all children get the start in life they deserve.”

Teresa Neary, headteacher at Cherry Garden School said: “The children have responded really well to the new building. There is more space for children to independently transition around the school; they are calmer and even more engaged in the curriculum activities on offer.

"I was always keen to ensure that the school spaces allowed for the best possible opportunities for great learning to take place and alongside that the teachers had the best opportunities for great teaching. I also wanted a beautiful environment for both children and staff and the architects shared the same vision in terms of design. It is an incredible building and I still sometimes pinch myself that it’s our building.”

Page last updated: 22 May 2019