School of Prince George and Princess Charlotte gets green light for senior expansion

A prominent dance academy in South London is set to be transformed into a new senior school after plans were given the go-ahead.

South London developer Avanton has secured planning consent for the Royal Academy of Dance headquarters at 36 Battersea Square to become a new senior school for Thomas’s London Day Schools.

Known as Thomas’s Battersea Square, the site will provide a new co-educational secondary school for students ages 11-18 for the institution, which already has a preparatory school on a directly adjacent site that is attended by Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Situated on the site of the historic Victorian Granary Building and Fonteyn Building, the developer will aim to retain and enhance the heritage of the site by re-using the buildings, preserving the historic cobbled courtyard, and demolishing the 1970s extension building, alongside the creation of a new northern extension.

The new Thomas’s Battersea Square, which will include science laboratories, break-out spaces, a study centre, a double height assembly and performance hall, cafeteria and school dining hall and a large central atrium, is expected to be operational by late 2022.

Omer Weinberger, chief executive officer of Avanton, commented: “This new development will create an educational centre of exceptionally high quality and profile.

“Battersea, where Avanton’s flagship Coda development is also located, is moving from strength to strength with the expansion of one of the most respected schools in the country.

“We are absolutely thrilled to see this facility open its gates for the local community in 2022, and it was a pleasure working with the local authority and the design team on this project. Very pleased that in times like this we are able to secure more jobs and support local businesses.”

Ben Thomas, principal at Thomas’s London Day Schools, added: “Thomas’s London Day Schools are delighted to have gained planning consent for our inaugural senior school, to be known as Thomas’s Battersea Square.

“This new coeducational school for students aged 11 to 18 will offer a world-class, progressive education that is forward-thinking and outward-looking.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →