LONDON: Britain’s only state-funded Hindu school plans to expand its operations in an Indian-inhabited area here in order to become a key resource for the community.
Avanti House School on Monday announced that it has identified Whitchurch Playing Fields under Harrow Borough Council as the site where the secondary section of the school will eventually be shifted.
It is within miles of the school’s current home, which includes a primary and secondary school set up.
“This is an extremely attractive site and ideally located. We are looking forward to the opportunity to develop it as a school and as a wonderful resource for the community,” said head teacher Gareth Jones.
“This will come as very welcome news to our students, to our loyal parents and to the pupils in more than 60 schools in the area who have expressed an interest in joining us in September 2014.”
The school, based on a Hindu ethos but open to the community at large, claims progress in all subjects with specialisms in mathematics and performing arts.
The new site, located in the heart of an area with a large population of Indian-origin, would accommodate 1,260 students after reaching full capacity.
Councillor Susan Hall informed Avanti Schools Trust that a feasibility study will begin for the site at Whitchurch Playing Fields.
That study, to be undertaken by the Education Funding Agency, could in turn lead to a planning application and a school on the site in January 2016.
Hall said: “There is a pressing need for more school places in Harrow and a lack of suitable land for development. We have worked closely with the Avanti Schools Trust who already have a strong and indeed unique track record in Harrow serving our significant Hindu community.
“Harrow Council was of course a key partner in delivering the Krishna Avanti Primary School in 2008.”
Avanti Schools Trust chief executive Nitesh Gor thanked the local council and Hall for making the school a priority. “We know that Harrow residents value our schools and it is good to see that this is being recognised by the council.”