School calls on 'lifeline' planning permission for demolition and rebuild

Leadership and children visited Waltham Forest town hall in Walthamstow to ask the council to approve the plan for Selwyn Primary School, in Cavendish Road, Highams Park.

Executive headteacher, Maureen Okoye, handed a letter to cabinet member for children councillor Mark Rusling who voiced his support for the application.

They claim that the Victorian school is not fit for purpose because children are forced to wear coats to assembly and there are regular leaks in heavy rain.

The school was named by the Government as one of 261 schools that needs major refurbishment work so would be built using Education Funding Agency cash.

Ms Okoye said: “The rebuild would be a lifeline for the school and enhance educational opportunities.

“Children, parents and the community need the new building.

“Otherwise we will end up with a building we cannot afford to maintain, costing a lot of money.”

There has been opposition to the plans to demolish the building.

Actress Kelly Adams, who has appeared in BBC’s Hustle and Holby City, moved nearby the school in April last year.

The 36-year-old is calling on the school to be refurbished rather than demolished.

She said: “I love the Victorian houses and school.

“To me, the area is a beautiful and important slice of London history.

“The school was on the shortlist to be listed but it didn’t make the grade.”

She added: “I’ve contacted many successfully converted Victorian schools in London so I know this would be a great alternative solution to demolition.”

But parent governor Helen Wagner said the building needed to be completely demolished because it was not fit for purpose.

“Recruiting teachers is difficult and we need a warm and inviting environment for them," she said.

“I am an ex-Selwyn pupil and have a sentimental attachment to the building.

“But it is crumbling.

“While it may look nice on the outside we have to put children first, it is about priorities.”