Pupils in east Twickenham will start lessons in their brand new building tomorrow after five years at a temporary site.

Deer Park School opened in September 2015 on a temporary site at Richmond Adult Community College, where it has remained while the new building was constructed.

The new site at 389 Richmond Road opened on Monday, and pupils begin tomorrow after three inset days allowing staff to prepare for the new term.

Headteacher Alex Lee said: "We are delighted to move into our new building from 19th April 2021.

"This is an exciting transition for our school and for our families, and we thoroughly look forward to joining the thriving East Twickenham community."

The school occupies the first and second floor of a new development above the recently opened Lidl supermarket on Richmond Road.

It houses a large dining hall, dedicated library and specialist classrooms for art and design and for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) lessons.

A multi-use games area on the first floor will support the provision of games such as football, netball, basketball and hockey on site. The area has been secured for safety and to prevent balls going into neighbouring gardens.

On the second floor there are outdoor learning spaces including a gardening terrace and outdoor classroom and reception classes will have a covered canopy.

Deer Park School is a free school sponsored by Bellevue Place Education Trust and will have a capacity of 420 pupils by 2024/25.

Clllr Penny Frost who chairs the council's Education and Children's Services Committee said: "I am so delighted that the children of Deer Park School and their teachers are finally able to move into this brilliant new facility.

"I've been amazed at the resilience of the pupils, their parents, and staff, learning and working in their temporary accommodation for over five years. I would also like offer my thanks to Richmond Adult Community College for providing the space for the school during this time.

"Demand for places at schools in Richmond upon Thames is high – our schools are deservedly popular owing to the fact that they continue to top the league tables and offer excellent, inclusive education for local children.

"I am grateful for the work council and Achieving for Children officers did to secure this site for educational use and I will continue to work to make sure all our students have access to the facilities they need to support their learning and future success."

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