The Fulham Boys School has announced that its opening date has been deferred to September 2014 due to difficulties in securing a site for this year.

The school says in a statement on its website:
'This difficult decision has not been taken lightly, not least because of the impact on the families affected by a year’s delay and the disappointment for the boys who will no longer be starting in September 2013.

The FBS Governors are deeply sorry and the school is contacting all prospective parents to explain the reasons for the delayed opening.

Everyone involved with FBS has been working tirelessly to deliver the school for September 2013, spurred on by fantastic support from across Fulham and neighbouring boroughs.

However, despite working closely with the Department for Education to conclude negotiations on a site, it had become unrealistic that we would secure suitable premises in the timescale required to offer prospective staff guaranteed employment, and parents unconditional offers of places, before the summer.

The Fulham Boys School is making this announcement now to ensure parents and pupils are aware of developments before National Offers Day.

No one who applied to The Fulham Boys School will now be made an offer by the school for 2013. However, plans are firmly in place for the school to open in September 2014.

The school is delighted to confirm that Mr Alun Ebeneezer remains as Headmaster designate and that he will be taking up his post in September 2013.

The deferred opening will allow Mr Ebeneezer to meet with more of the local primaries, parents and community, and to work closely with the Directors in recruiting staff and finalising preparations for our first Year 7 boys in September 2014.'

Commenting on the announcement, The Department for Education told FBS:
"We fully understand how disappointed you are that site issues have resulted in the Trust having to take the decision to defer the opening of The Fulham Boys School. The Department remains fully committed to taking this project forward and working closely with you to ensure a smooth opening in 2014.

"It is important not to lose momentum, and the Education Funding Agency will continue to work to secure an appropriate site for the school. We look forward to working with you as you revise your plans to ensure a successful opening for this exciting school in September 2014."

The school says it will be consulting on its site later this year with interested parties, and the Head and governors look forward to sharing final plans with prospective parents, pupils and staff at the school’s open days in October.

If you have any questions, please contact the School on 07512 118012.

July 9, 2014