East Dulwich school enters final phase of construction

29 February 2024

The Charter School East Dulwich’s permanent site has progressed into the second and final stage of construction, including a council-funded purpose-built unit for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The school will be able to accommodate 1,700 pupils, including 480 sixth form places and 20 places for young people with special educational needs.

Due to complete in December 2024, the final phase of building includes the permanent school main entrance, additional office and teaching space, music and sixth form facilities, the new SEND unit and external play space.

The campus complex is based on the site of the old East Dulwich Hospital. Construction was split into two phases to co-ordinate with the NHS on the relocation of services from the hospital. Phase one provided the school’s main teaching accommodation with art and science classrooms, sports hall, and temporary main entrance.

Pupils have more outdoor space thanks to landscaping round the school and a new temporary classroom block has enabled the school to fully function while the main building is renovated.

Cllr Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Refugees, headed on site to see the progress being made.

Cllr Ali said: “I am thrilled that we are one step closer towards a state-of-the-art new school premises for children of all abilities, and specifically those with SEND requirements. It will be the perfect setting for the excellent teaching and specialist education at The Charter School East Dulwich, enabling children with SEND requirements to thrive within a mainstream setting. Ambitious projects such as this one often encounter setbacks for various reasons. While we could not have foreseen skyrocketing construction costs, we are delighted to be back on track and know that parents will be too. “

The Department for Education, together with Southwark Council, are providing funding for the project. It is being led by Southwark Council acting as developer managers. The new SEND unit is solely funded by the council.

Page last updated: 08 March 2024