Work will start on Copland Community School in September

Council chiefs are celebrating after the government agreed to bring forward plans to rebuild a troubled school in Wembley following months of lobbying.

Copland Community School in Cecil Avenue, will undergo a multi-million transformation after the Education Funding Agency announced work will start in September.

The school will adopt the controversial academy status at the same time after it was placed in special measures by education watchdog Ofsted in May.

If everything goes to plan there will be a new school by September 2016 under the ‘Priority Schools Building Programme’ – a year earlier than originally planned.

Last year it was announced Copland was set to benefit from an £18million rebuild as part of the Government’s Priority Schools Build programme, which rebuilds schools in poor condition.

Graeme Plunkett, Copland’s former headteacher who stepped down this month, had urged government officials to release the funds to enable the school to build a learning environment fit for the 21st century.

Cllr Michael Pavey, Brent Council’s lead member for children and families, said: “This is fantastic news.

“Brent Council is determined to turn around Copland School and to support this we have installed a new board to lead the school. Now we are delighted that the Government has brought forward plans for a new school building.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every pupil at Copland receives a top class education in a high quality building.”

Staff at the school have staged two strikes over its academy conversion plans.

Copland also has a troubled history and four years ago its head teacher quit followed by his deputy who was sacked.

The pair, alongside four other members of staff, were charged with fraud amid claims they paid themselves illegal bonuses amounting to £2.7m.

They deny the claims and will face trial in September.