Historic school's £9m revamp to lift it out of special measures

A failing primary school threatened with closure has won planning permission for a £9 million redevelopment.

Eveline Lowe primary in Bermondsey is in special measures after it was rated "inadequate" in an Ofsted inspection last year.

But Southwark council has approved plans for a revamp which will expand the number of places at the school from 378 to 420. A Grade II-listed building at the primary - built in 1967 and noted for a pioneering open-plan layout - will also be modified in the work. Ofsted inspectors are still concerned Eveline Lowe is failing to provide a good education but it is receiving help from nearby Ilderton Primary, with headteacher Elizabeth Hills taking charge of both schools.

Councillor Lisa Rajan, Southwark's executive member for education, said: "The new design for Eveline Lowe will restore the Sixties listed building back to pristine condition as well as increase the area of the school by a third while using a third less energy.

"We are confident the school will come out of special measures."

Work is due to begin on the design by HKR Architects and John Pardey Architects in January next year.