Council seeks feedback for school’s expansion
By Keerthana Syam
A council has launched a public consultation on plans to expand a secondary school to provide places for children with special needs.
Southwark council has announced plans to expand Highshore School in Farmers Road, Camberwell due to increasing demand.
The plan is to expand the school into a satellite at the former Comber Grove Primary site, which closed in August 2024 due to low enrollment.
The expansion would add 60 to 70 specialist places to ensure more children can access quality education in the borough.
Councillor Jasmine Ali, deputy leader and cabinet member for children, education and refugees, said: “We’re making sure every child in Southwark can have a great education in a local school, including children who need specialist provision.
“Highshore School is a great success and we’re excited to consult on expanding it to offer more places for secondary students with complex mixed needs.
“This is an opportunity for families, staff, and the wider community to share their views.”
The expansion enables the school to run across two sites, potentially creating a dedicated post-16 provision or an integrated space for secondary and sixth-form students.
The council has secured more than £5million to refurbish the Comber Grove site. Upgrades include a new sports hall, full accessibility enhancements, energy-efficient improvements and a learning environment suited to Highshore pupils’ needs.
If approved, final designs will be developed in collaboration with parents, pupils and the council.
Refurbishment works are set to take place from summer 2025 to summer 2026.
The new Highshore School satellite site is expected to welcome its first pupils in September 2026.
The public consultation closes on May 5, 2025. Residents can share their views via the council’s website or at engagement events.
Pictured top: Highshore School in Farmers Road, Camberwell (Picture: Google Street View)