The Bishop of London joined teachers, local students, and governors of the new William Perkin CofE High School in Greenford, Ealing to unveil the school’s foundation stone and bless the panels that will form the structure of the school, which is to open in September 2013 to 180 students spread over seven classes.
The foundations of the school were laid in November last year and were blessed by the Bishop of Willesden, Pete Broadbent. The blessing of the structural panels will be accompanied by the unveiling of the school’s foundation stone. Words from John 10:10, "I have come that you should have life and life in all its fullness", are carved into the stone to represent the scriptural framework for the school.
Following the blessing, three local children from The Edward Betham CofE Primary School read poems and texts selected by local parishes. Edward Betham will be one of the local feeder schools into William Perkin.
The Bishop was also presented with the gift of a wooden cross made by Kier Construction and KLHUKc, the construction company who had made the wooden panels that were blessed during the ceremony.
William Perkin school is being created in response to local demand, including a 2,000 name petition in support of the project. The school is being set up under the auspices of Twyford CofE Academies Trust and the popular Twyford Church of England High School, which is heavily oversubscribed. It is one of a wave of six free schools sponsored by London Diocesan Board of Schools (LDBS: the educational arm of the London Diocese) that are set to open across London.
Executive Headteacher Alice Hudson commented:
"We are delighted in the rapid progress of the building and the support we have received from local parishes and schools."
