HS2 hits Maria Fidelis school’s plan for a revamp

A CONVENT school whose long-awaited refurbishment could be scuppered by plans to build a high-speed train line through Euston are seeking £34million compensation.

Teachers and pupils at Maria Fidelis girls’ school, the oldest Catholic school in London, could see their planned redevelopment shelved as a result of the government’s commitment to the HS2 project.

Located on a split site in Euston, the school is in dire need of upgrading. Trustees had planned to move pupils to a single site by rebuilding the school on its North Gower Street campus, but the expansion of Euston station to accommodate the new trains will block the project.

It is the second blow dealt by the Coalition Government after the school narrowly missed out on millions of pounds in funding through the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project, which was cancelled last year by Education Secretary Michael Gove.

The school’s trustees, the Faithful Companion of Jesus Sisters, have now come up with another plan to relocate the school to its Phoenix Road site, but are demanding compensation to help cover the costs.

Headteacher Pauline Williams said: “A letter was put into the Prime Minister’s hand this week. 

“Our trustees are going straight to the top and trying to get awareness at the very top level. 

“We are very concerned about the impact these plans will have, not just the building work – which is certainly not ideal – but also the proximity of such a large station on the school.”

She said a new plan to relocate to Somers Town would be extremely costly and would waste years of work.

“This plan involves trying to raise money,” said Ms Williams. 

“Camden say they haven’t got enough. We need compensation to help us buy extra land around the Phoenix School site that may be available. 

“It is not about closing the school but it’s about getting what we can to help us. The number £34m has been bandied about – I don’t know how much it costs to build a school but that seems appropriate to me.”

Chair of governors Modesto Tondelli added: “Our main concern is the pupils and it’s no good saying that it’ll be okay in however many years’ time because by then they will have gone through the school. 

“Trying to work in that kind of environment next to a building site and then moving trains is not ideal.” 

Ms Williams added that the school was planning to become co-educational in 2013 and would need a larger campus.

Opponents to the HS2 project are now gearing up for the final 10 days of consultation over the new line, which would eventually link London and the north of England. 

• The public have until July 29 to give their opinions on the project. Respond online at https://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/have-your-say

Published: 21st July, 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

• STAFF, teachers and volunteers at Maria Fidelis have unveiled new mosaics after working on them for two weeks, writes Kiera Roberts.

The project followed a visit to the school by artist Maud Milton who encouraged pupils to use materials that survive the test of time. 

They were blessed by resident priest, Father Tim Gardiner, last Thursday before Mayor Councillor Abdul Quadir praised students for their “great achievements”.

Similar mosaic workshops  have taken place with neighbouring community groups including Hopscotch Asian Women’s Group, Age Concern, New Horizons and Somers Town Youth Centre.