Falcons School for boys submits plans for Power Road school

The Alphaplus Group, who own The Falcons Schools, have submitted plans to Hounslow Council to acquire 107-109 Power Road site for a new private day school.

Mr Barry Evans, Principal of The Falcons, has for the last three years been involved in finding a suitable site for a further school in the area. Their preparatory school in Grove Park's Burnaby Gardens caters for boys from Nursery through to Year Three (aged eight). They have been searching for a site for their senior school to provide an ongoing education for boys aged eight to thirteen years. The school states that due to there currently being no independent provision for boys of this age in the area and with the local state schools already at capacity, the boys who leave The Falcons at eight cannot be accommodated locally, either independently or in the maintained sector.

The site they have located is situated in Power Road at the Chiswick Roundabout end of the High Road.  Situated close to a number of sporting venues including Brentford Leisure Centre, the school believes that the location is also ideal travel-wise being close to Gunnersbury Park tube and the raft of buses that service the Chiswick High Road.

Barry Evans said "With over 70% of our parents living within walking distance to the school, I do not anticipate any form of vehicle congestion, especially as the school will operate a walking bus system and encourage cycling. Any school traffic entering Power Road from Chiswick High Road will undoubtedly turn left onto Gunnersbury Avenue to return south. The school along with The Mayor's initiative will promote the use of public transport. This should not prove to be an upward task, as boys of this age prefer to make their own way to school rather than have Mum drop them at the school gate. We also intend to implement a mini bus and provide travel passes for staff."

On Monday10th October Mr Evans was invited to address the members of The Gunnersbury Park Residents Committee and was 'overwhelmed' by the their wholehearted and fulsome support of the application. A show of hands amongst the fifty or so present proved to be unanimous in their support and the meeting's chairman agreed to write to Hounslow Council to reflect the resident's view.

Mr Evans said "We are not inward looking and support a wide variety of local causes and charities. As part of our ethos we do not raise for our school but support those in the community who are less fortunate, whether it be harvest for the elderly or donations to The Shooting Star Trust. Our premises in Grove Park are used after school hours for dance classes and by local residents for meetings. Holiday Clubs also take place run by our experienced and committed staff. I would certainly intend to foster this community spirit at The Power Road site, which would afford even greater use by the broader local community."

Back in 2003, the Alphaplus Group had their plans to convert The Pier House at Strand on the Green into a preparatory school for 420 boys and girls aged 5-13 years rejected.  The deciding factors of the rejection were the anticipated traffic congestion on the narrow stretch of road and the noise from the children during their recreation time.

October 21, 2005