Thomas Fairchild School Update

Hoxton Councillors have recently met with the Learning Trust to ensure that the voices of all local residents are heard when considering the re-provision of Thomas Fairchild School, which was destroyed in a fire in July 2009.

We have not underestimated the vital importance of a school that generations of Hoxton residents have attended and that is why we have worked hard to ensure the concerns of local residents about the re-provisions of the school have been heard at the highest levels. We have asked the Learning Trust go further than consulting with teachers, parents and school children. We want to ensure that all local residents have an opportunity to have their say.

We expect the school to reopen in September 2012 and it will become an important local resource for the entire community and we believe that the entire community must have the opportunity to have their voices heard.

Consultation on the re-provision of the school will start soon and we will keep you posted of developments on our blog, on our twitter account as well as via our newsletter.

Thomas Fairchild School

On 30 July 2009 a fire ripped through Thomas Fairchild school.  Over 100 fire fighters using 20 fire engines fought to bring the fire under control.  Sadly, however, the school could not be saved.  


Since then Hoxton Councillors pushed the Mayor of Hackney and the Learning Trust  to ensure that the school is re-provided on the same site because it is our priority to have a school where pupils in Hoxton and De Beauvoir can continue their education.  
The Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe has assured us that his will happen.  


We have learned that the building has only recently been released back to the Council from the insurance company and, due to the size of the site and nature of the damage to the building, the site will need to be cleared by hand.  The rebuilding work will therefore be a time consuming task but it will ensure the safety of the Children's Centre that was undamaged during the fire, local residents and properties that are in close proximity to the site as well as the safety of those working on the site.

The re-building should be completed by the summer 2012.

Supporting Thomas Fairchild School after the fire.

Short update from all of us on the fire.

“Thomas Fairchild School was at the heart of the community; as local councillors and residents we are committed to seeing it rebuilt and to making sure the necessary temporary arrangements are in place for the start of the autumn term.”

“Watching the fire last Thursday was a dreadful experience for everyone involved, especially given the many generations of local children who attended the school - as well as the many memories bound up in this wonderful historic building.”

“We would like to thank the London Fire Brigade for their efforts to save the school and our express our relief that no one was injured. While the school maybe badly damaged its spirit lives on and we are thankful the children’s centre was saved.

“The community and the school family are now coming together with the Learning Trust and the Council to ensure the future of their school, and they have our full support.”