Lambeth Council worked with Julian’s to quickly find the temporary site following the fire in late August which meant the primary could not re-open after the summer holidays.
The school’s leadership and the council arranged for the temporary site, which opened on Monday, at the former Goldfinch Primary School in Cunliffe Street, Streatham.
The council has supported the school in ensuring there are coaches to transport pupils from its original location to the temporary site. Its breakfast club is still running, as is its after school club with transport.
Councillor Ben Kind, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “Understandably the whole school community has found this a stressful and disruptive start to the new school year.
“We have been supporting the school leadership to find solutions that will keep disruption to a minimum and make sure we can help secure a much-needed temporary location that keeps the whole school community together.
“This has been done quickly, and we thank everyone involved for their commitment to finding this temporary solution. We will continue to support the school in ensuring the arrangements meet the needs of our young people and their families.”
The fire at Julian’s Primary School started shortly after midnight on August 23 and was eventually brought under control by the London Fire Brigade. At the height of the response, 10 fire engines, a fire rescue unit, and an aerial appliance were deployed.
The building suffered significant damage, including to approximately 40 per cent of the roof at the rear of the school. Some 50 per cent of the whole building sustained water damage, primarily due to the sprinklers being activated. The entire Streatham site is currently unusable.
The former Goldfinch School site is available after Dunraven Educational Trust closed the site due to a drop in pupil numbers, an issue impacted primaries across London, including Lambeth.
Cllr Kind said: “We appreciated the contribution of Wandsworth Council and Dunraven Educational Trust for their support in helping secure the former Goldfinch Primary School as a temporary site, and the hard work of Julian’s school staff in making sure it was ready to re-open for students on Monday.”
