Islington’s “forever” school celebrates official opening

Almost one month since its pupils attended classes in their new school building, City of London Primary Academy Islington receives its official opening later this week.

As a fully inclusive school, City of London Primary Academy Islington caters for reception-age children, Key Stage One and Two, and pupils with special educational needs, as part of its commitment to ‘close the attainment gap, so that the achievement of every child compares favourably with the best in the country.’

Located in the south of the borough, the school is the latest addition to the City of London Academies Trust, which runs the City of London Corporation’s sponsored academies.

The school benefits from the City Corporation’s strong links with business and commerce, as well as its arts and cultural institutions.

The opening event, which takes place on Friday (1 October) at 8.30am in the school’s new hall, will be attended by parents, pupils, headteacher Kim Clapham, and guests of honour, City of London Policy Chair, Catherine McGuinness, and Mayor of Islington, Troy Gallagher.

City of London Primary Academy Islington headteacher, Kim Clapham, said:

“Following four years in two sets of temporary accommodation, our school community is thrilled to have finally moved into its ‘forever’ school, as the children call it, and we are delighted that they have settled in so beautifully, like ducks to water.

“Our children deserve the very best education possible, and our new facilities in this ‘Outstanding’-rated school will truly support their growth and development, so I am hugely grateful to the whole team for helping deliver this wonderful new school.”

Chair of the City of London Academies Trust, Tijs Broeke, said:

“My colleagues and I are delighted that this new building, rooted firmly in the community and a real asset for local parents, has opened and is bustling with children who are excited about being here, keen to learn, and open to discovering their potential.

“Promoting the need for, and value of, a good education has always been close to my heart, and I look forward to hearing how pupils at this school develop and flourish over the coming years.”

The City of London Primary Academy Islington isa member of the City of London Academies Trust, which runs the City of London Corporation’s sponsored academies.The City of London Corporation sponsors 10 Academies across Hackney, Newham, Islington, and Southwark.

The City Corporation has been named twice by social mobility charity, Sutton Trust, as the UK’s best academy sponsor for empowering pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to perform above the national average, and the leading academy sponsor for Progress 8 and Attainment 8, which track pupil progress and achievement.