AROUND 100 pupils offered places at the new International Academy of Greenwich have had them withdrawn - because the school could not secure a permanent site in time.

The oversubscribed International Academy of Greenwich had been due to open to its first raft of 100 pupils in September at a temporary site within half a mile of Greenwich station but needed to find a long-term venue for 2014.

However, in a letter to parents this week, chief executive Nick Zienau revealed that had not been possible and places were no longer being offered.

He wrote: "The Department for Education has found it impossible to secure a long-term site in time to permit us to start the school in September 2013."

Mr Zienau wrote that problems with the site, the location of which has not been revealed, are connected to "large-scale planning issues regarding the pattern of development for the area" and that the government was concerned "about the possible consequences of having a school with nowhere to go after the first year".

His announcement could cause problems for families who had expected the facility to open this summer, though the academy said it had always advised them to accept places at a second school too - offers they should now take up.

School organisers say they still intend to go ahead with the project, which will eventually see a 700-pupil facility following the IB Middle Years Programme, designed for 11 to 16-year-olds.

Mr Zienau told News Shopper: "We were extremely disappointed to hear that the DfE has not been able to secure the permanent site for our school in time for us to start this coming September.

"This is obviously sad and disappointing news  for all the children, parents and carers who were looking forward to joining us.

"The DfE has assured us of their continuing commitment to opening the school and ensuring that we will have a permanent site secured by September 2014.

"We will therefore be open for admissions again from this coming Autumn for Year 7 places in September 2014."

He added the organisation would still be running after-school workshops on language and communication skills.

For more information visit iaog.org.uk

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