New school building causes problems for neighbours

Earlier this year, many Islington schools were relieved to hear that their Building Schools for the Future funding would be protected in the face of cuts announced by Education Secretary Michael Gove in July.

BSF was to be the UK's largest-ever school buildings investment

programme before cuts were announced. Neighbouring Camden is one of the

worst-affected boroughs, with up to 17 planned rebuilding projects now

under threat. Projects in Islington and Haringey are safeguarded as the

work has either been contracted or complete.

A resident of Montem Street is not so happy at the continuing building programme, however, having been told that a wall that collapsed onto her property during building works at Islington Arts and Media College on Turle Road last November cannot be rebuilt for another two years.

Natalie O'Keefe was horrified to find the wall collapsed onto her lawn last winter, and is still waiting for a replacement. The incident is particularly concerning as the property is home to two young children. A similar incident took place in 2007, when toddler Saurav Ghai was crushed under a wall in nearby Camden.  Islington Council is now working with Ms O'Keefe to clear the garden and install new fencing.

The Building Schools for the Future programme has not been without controversy since its launch. Last term, staff at St Aloysius College Highgate went on strike in protest against "inadequate" school buildings built under the scheme. Meanwhile, campaigns against BSF cuts continue nationwide, with the National Union of Teachers lobbying Parliament in July.