Haverstock School in Chalk Farm

• THANKS for your report highlighting some of the mutual benefits of a move for Abacus Belsize Primary School adjacent to Haverstock School, (Abacus Belsize Primary School eyes plans to move onto Haverstock School site, May 20).

The governing body is delighted. Children and parents could enjoy a gentle walk down the hill together in the morning and up again home for tea.

A separate entrance off Prince of Wales Road and classrooms away from traffic would keep Abacus pupils well away from older children and help to retain our autonomy, identity and culture as a school community.

With eight years of experience in adapting buildings, we are confident we can maintain the character of our very special primary school in the new permanent home we have wanted for so long.

This site allows for more dedicated space for outdoor play and learning than we have had before. While the former police station would have worked, it is a far easier adaptation to create space within a modern building that is already purpose-built for educational uses.

A permanent home will give us opportunities to support Abacus families in ways that have been impossible in our current temporary location.

We are keen to offer more sports and clubs that can provide enriched experiences for children and support working families before and after the school day.

The new location for Abacus will support Haverstock financially and help its long-term sustainability as a school, which seems like a very good use of public funds.

Collaboration between the headteachers has got off to a very good start and we know that Vicki Briody has received a warm welcome from James Hadley. We look forward to working with him, and his governing body, as we get into detailed discussions.

Abacus pupils, parents, and teachers have patiently coped with uncertainty and adversity for many years to get a good education.

Busing was challenging even before Covid-19 restrictions over the past year. Timing a regular service in busy urban traffic is almost impossible, so parents and children have spent too much time waiting outside in nasty weather.

The remote site takes a real toll on school life and it has been harder for families to meet, share pick-ups, and to get to know the teachers. All this should soon be in the past.

We are keen to make the most of this opportunity. We would also like to thank the civil servants and elected representatives at Camden Council and in the Department for Education for their support.

Behind the scenes they have worked hard on this proposal, which meets a clear need and fits nicely with their work on Camden’s 10-year education plan.

HARRIET NOWELL-SMITH
Chair of Governors
On behalf of the Local Governing Body