Toby Young gets free school green light

west london free school to become reality

Acton resident, Journalist and education campaigner Toby Young has revealed that his parent-inspired school, the West London Free School has been given the provisional government nod to admit students from the 2011/12 academic session.

He said: "We've been given a tentative all-clear from the Department for Education to admit students through a combination of proximity to the school and random allocation. That is, something like 25% will be admitted according to proximity and 75% will be chosen via a lottery, with no geographical restriction on who can apply. That means if you don't live in the London Borough of Ealing you can still apply to the school on behalf of your child."

Young is hoping the school will admit its first Year 7 pupils in September 2011, but all depends on the school finding a site. He continues, "We've made an offer on an unused school building in Ealing, but we still haven't heard back from the landlord and we're now actively looking for alternatives in case we don't hear back in time. If anyone knows of any potential sites please email me. Ideally, it will be a school building that's D1 listed, won't cost much if anything to refurbish, is at least 40,000 square feet and is available to lease for one or more years from this September. However, it could just be an unused office block or warehouse. It might even be for sale. Doesn't even need to be in Ealing, given that admission to the school won't primarily be based on proximity. The only thing we're not looking for at this stage is a piece of open land to build on."

"We need pledges of donations from our supporters totalling £5,000. We're not looking for actual money at this stage, just a promise that you'll make a donation for a specific amount as soon as we've obtained charitable status..."

- Toby young

The parent group are currently in the process of registering the West London Free School Foundation Trust as a charity. Young appeals for donations towards this. He says:" We need pledges of donations from our supporters totalling £5,000. We're not looking for actual money at this stage, just a promise that you'll make a donation for a specific amount as soon as we've obtained charitable status. Having said that, don't make the pledge unless you're willing to donate since I will chase you for it. Please give -- or, rather, promise to give -- generously."

Young has consistently argued against the notion that free schools will condemn existing low-achieving schools to failure. He believes free schools will drive up standards in existing institutions through its mix of balanced curriculum which will include the teaching of subjects like Latin. Together with a 500-strong parent group, Young put the issue of parent-sponsored schools on the last election agenda and what has since become one of the hottest education topics in England.

16.07.10 21:39