Tessa Jowell MP

11 September 2007 

A new school was born this week as, long awaited and hard fought for, The Elmgreen School opened its doors to its first intake of Year 7 pupils.

The Elmgreen School is the first ever 'parent promoted' school in the country. It has come about after a fantastic campaign from local parents who were keen to have a local school that their children would be able to attend rather than being scattered across Lambeth borough and beyond.

Tessa Jowell arranged several meetings with Education Ministers and Officials and lobbied Lambeth to make sure that the required resources were in place.

                                                                      With Chair of Governors, Sandy Nuttgens
                                                                      and Leader of Lambeth Council, Steve Reed.

Speaking at the launch of the Elmgreen School Tessa Jowell said:

"The determination of parents to have a local school was the driving force behind the establishment of this wonderful new school. The school is blazing a trail for the rest of the country. Where The Elmgreen School has led others will follow. I thank and pay tribute to the parents, staff and supporters who have made this happen."

Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, sent a message of appreciation for all those involved: 

"After years of planning it’s great to see The Elmgreen School, the first school in the country set up by a group of parents, opening in Lambeth this week.

"Everybody involved in making it happen should be congratulated, including the parents themselves, all the teachers, local MP Tessa Jowell and Lambeth Council. The school has a powerful ethos and as it expands over the coming years into its new and permanent home I wish it every success."

 
With inspirational Headteacher, Asma Mansuri and Cllr Steve Reed.