An independent girls’ school is looking to upgrade the Victorian buildings housing its younger students.
South Hampstead High School is proposing to extend both its junior buildings in Netherhall Gardens in a move that would see improved classrooms, playgrounds and an assembly room big enough to accommodate all students.
As part of the proposal, students would be catered for in a temporary campus 10 minutes’ walk away at Hampstead Cricket Club, off Lymington Road, for two years while building work is completed.
The exact location of the temporary site will be determined after discussions with both the cricket club and Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club, but South Hampstead High is confident the move will run smoothly as students were housed here for two and a half years prior to the £30million redevelopment of the senior school back in 2014.
The school will not speculate on the cost of the development until a formal planning application is submitted, and consultation responses are taken into account, but the proposal will be funded by the Girls’ Day School Trust, of which it is a member.
Developers and members of staff are holding a two-hour exhibition from 10am detailing the plans at 5 Netherhall Gardens on Saturday, before the school’s summer fair.
A school spokesman said: “We are delighted to share our emerging proposals for plans for a sensitive refurbishment and upgrade of our junior school.
“We encourage residents and parents to attend this exhibition. Community feedback is important to us.”
South Hampstead is also looking to create more pupil places by making the junior school two-form entry throughout.
The blueprint will see a reduced amount of parking. The school insisted it is “very aware of congestion in this part of London”, with walking and cycling to be encouraged.
The school hopes to submit the planning applications to Camden Council over the summer. If the scheme is given the green light students will move to a temporary site in summer next year while building work begins, before moving to new facilities in summer 2021.
For more information visit shhsjuniors.com or e-mail consultation@shhsjuniors.com.
What do you think about the proposals? E-mail james.scott@archant.co.uk.
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