St Andrew the Apostle School New Building Grand Opening

28 November 2025 was a momentous day for St Andrew the Apostle School as guests of honour the Rt Hon Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, and His Grace, Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis, officially opened the new school building.

Bishop Iakovas led a service on behalf of His Eminence, Archbishop Nikitas of Great Britain and Thyateira, blessed the new building and unveiled a portrait of His Eminence, the late Archbishop Gregorios of Great Britain and Thyateira, whose support and vision helped establish the school. This portrait will be displayed in his honour in the main reception.

Ms Phillipson spoke to guests, including local elected representatives, governors, staff and students. She also met our Year 12 Politics students and the Student Council, who had the opportunity to ask her about her life as a politician and her views about current events.

Speaking at the ceremony to open the campus, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "I know that this school, like so many schools across the country, is at the centre of its local community. It’s a real pleasure to be here for the opening of this fantastic new campus.

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who made it possible, for all you’ve done for the children who will pass through this wonderful new school this year, next year, and for generations to come".

The 12-year project to identify a site, secure planning permission and build our permanent home has been the culmination of the vision for the school articulated by His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios and a group of local parents and intellectuals from the Classical Education Trust , led by the late Yiannis Pareas, our founding Chair of Governors. The main school building has been dedicated to Yiannis Pareas and fittingly, his wife and fellow governor, Marina Pareas, unveiled the name of the building as part of the Grand Opening Ceremony.

Chris Martin, Headteacher, commented, “We have started the year so well in our new home. All visitors to the school – particularly at Open Evening and 6^th Form Open Evening – comment on the atmosphere of friendliness alongside academic ambition that characterises our school. It is wonderful to see our students flourishing in these state-of-the- art new facilities.

Mary Karaolis OBE, Chair of Governors and founding governor stated, “After twelve years, our hopes have finally come to fruition. This moment marks the result of tireless dedication from the school community, the Greek Orthodox Church, Russell Education Trust, the Department for Education and those who have supported us in the local community.”

Colin Mackinlay, CEO Russell Education Trust said “St Andrew’s has established a reputation as a thriving, academically successful, inclusive and friendly school despite spending twelve years in temporary accommodation. This splendid new building is what the students, staff and local community deserve”

St Andrew the Apostle School and the Russell Education Trust is grateful to both our building partners, Bowmer + Kirkland, and to the Comer Group, which provided the land as part of the wider development of North London Business Park.

BELS Chief Executive and Director of Education and Learning, Neil Marlow, and Karen Lynch, Chair of the Russell Education Trust