On Thursday, the Fulham Boys School (FBS) was formally opened by Nick Gibb, Schools Minister, and the school’s patrons, local Fulham MP Greg Hands, and the Bishop of Kensington, Rt Revd Paul Williams in a joyous ceremony at the school’s temporary site in north Fulham.
London’s first secondary Free School for boys opened its doors to Year 7 pupils in September.
A series of delays, largely caused by uncertainties over the school’s site, saw FBS and Greg fight an extraordinary campaign in July to ensure the school could open as planned in September. Classrooms and facilities then had to be made good in just two weeks.
FBS staff, pupils, parents and founders welcomed some of the local businesses, councillors, members of the local community, and other organisations who supported the school during its five-year journey to open.
Back in July, local MP Greg Hands intervened in a dispute caused by the new Labour Council of Hammersmith and Fulham, in order to help safeguard the site of the school. Greg met with Michael Gove (then Education Secretary) and Lord Nash, the Schools Minister, successfully urging them to reconsider the Department for Education’s decision. After a guarantee from the Mayor of London to help the school find a permanent home in the Borough, the school was able to open as planned this September.
Greg Hands said: “I’m thrilled to be at the official opening of Fulham Boy’s School, a day which at times was feared may never arrive. This is fantastic for parents and pupils who have been through a lot to turn FBS into what we believe will be a top quality Church of England secondary school. I was delighted to be able to play a part in making this happen. I wish the all the staff, teachers and, most of all, the pupils a very successful school year.”
Alun Ebenezer, FBS Headmaster, commented: “More than anything, we want to celebrate the ‘can do’ spirit that got FBS off the ground and is now driving our first boys forward. Parents and staff took a huge leap of faith in sticking by us when we were told we couldn’t open in July, and everyone then worked miracles to get the school ready in two weeks. It may have been a baptism of fire, but it has helped to forge a fantastic school ethos.
“Our challenge now is to deliver the outstanding education we’ve promised parents and pupils. Our founders, governors and staff spent five years planning a school specifically to motivate boys, and it’s energising to see our first pupils starting to flourish – picking up books through choice, throwing themselves into tackles on the rugby pitch, singing their hearts out.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Education Minister, Nick Gibb MP, said: “Congratulations to the parents, school and all concerned in your tremendous achievement in getting this school open…Free schools have the freedom to be innovative, and I’m convinced that your vision of high academic standards, competitive sport and good discipline will be a success. I’ll watch with pride what I’m sure will be an outstanding school in Fulham.”
The school will be on its site at Gibbs Green for up to three years and is currently recruiting for its 2015 intake through the London wide school admissions process. FBS is growing year on year, and will be at full capacity in 2020 with 800 boys. Announcement on the school’s permanent location in the borough is expected in due course.