Ealing School Moving To Putney

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Parents left furious over Falcons' relocation

Parents of children at an independent school in Ealing have been shocked to learn that have to relocate to Putney next year.

The Falcons School for Girls, established in 2000, takes 3-11 year olds, and is currently based on Gunnersbury Avenue.

There had been plans for it to move into the small mansion in Gunnersbury Park, but these fell through in June.

On Monday (9th September) parents received a letter from the company which owns the school, Alpha Plus, informing them that from September 2014 the school would be based at Woodborough Road in SW15.

The new site - in a conservation area - was previously home to Putney Park School. The Edwardian buildings will initially accommodate three forms of entry of 18 - with an eventual capacity of 350.

The journey from Ealing to Putney is 5.5 miles and a free bus will be provided, but many parents feel it's too far.

They were invited to a meeting on Wednesday (11th September) to discuss the planned move.

One father - who doesn't wish to be named contacted us and described the meeting as 'extremely bloody'. He said some parents were crying, many were very angry and most feel they have been treated badly.

He said his child had been happy at the school, the teaching was second to none - a move to Putney had never been in the equation.

'' I think a high percentage of parents will now be seeking new, local school places for their children, I want to take my child out as soon as I can and just want the company to pay our fees back in full.''

A spokesperson from Alpha Plus said: '' We are leaving with reluctance and only because we feel that it is in the best long-term interest of the school.

“We know and understand that this will cause unexpected change and we have written to and met with our parents to discuss the matter and to offer them every support in the transition.

“We can provide outstanding facilities at Woodborough Road in Putney that we just could not provide at our current location given the size of Gunnersbury Avenue. As it is in four buildings, we will be able to absolutely replicate the warm and friendly surroundings of the existing school in each of the individual buildings – while making their interior and décor appropriate to the age of the girls.

“The school will continue to offer a traditional nursery- year 6 single sex girls’ school education with preparation for Common Entrance.

“We have had many happy years in this area and are sorry to be leaving, but we are convinced this is the right decision for the school.

'' Any parent who wishes to move their daughter from The Falcons School for Girls and is offered and accepts a place at another independent school in the area during the term will only be charged for the proportion of the term’s fees actually incurred. The balance will be remitted and deposits returned unless there are any outstanding debts.''

13th September 2013