Former Kingsland Fire Station to become free school

Former Kingsland fire station. Photograph: Francesca Fanshawe

A former fire station closed by the London Mayor Boris Johnson is to be converted into a free school.

Hackney New Primary school will move onto the site of the former Kingsland Road fire station in September 2017.

The fire station was one of ten that Boris Johnson closed in January 2014, despite huge opposition from the local community.

Last weekend campaigners gathered outside the fire station calling on the Mayor to reopen it.

Whilst the brand new building is being constructed, the school has been set up in special temporary premises inside its parent school, Hackney New School, which is just across the road.

Andreas Wesemann, Chair of Governors at Hackney New Primary School said the former fire station was an “ideal site”.

“We are excited to be able to work with our partners to design this site to accommodate the unique curricular requirements of the school, helping us to develop it as an outstanding place of learning for young children from all backgrounds.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “I’m delighted that this excellent site has been secured for Hackney New Primary, just across the road from its parent school.

“The new free school will give 400 more pupils the opportunity to have a top-class education as well as providing much-needed school places in the local area.”

Paul Embery, Regional Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said: “It is scandalous that this fire station was closed. Hackney is a densely-populated borough with high levels of deprivation.

“It is the type of borough where fires are more likely to happen. Response times have increased locally since the station was closed, and local people have been placed at greater risk. Cuts to the fire service cost lives. Its a travesty that this fire station was taken away.”