Free school launch aborted less than week before term

It was confirmed last night, less than a week before the start of the new term, that the creation of the One in a Million Free School in Bradford has been shelved. An education boss in the city warned that the decision had left up to 30 parents who had chosen the school “in limbo”.

Building work had already taken place for the planned free school which was supposed to be opening on Monday at the Bantams Business Centre next to Bradford City football club.

As late as Friday of last week the One in a Million charity behind the plan was posting on the internet saying places were still available for its September opening.

The school had planned to open with 50 pupils in its first year but it is understood that the Department for Education (DfE) has not signed off on the funding agreement because the school had not been able to reach this number.

The Government has invited the group to defer its opening until 2013 but has not had a response from the charity.

The Yorkshire Post was unable to contact the One in a Million charity or the free school’s principal designate Jez Stockill last night.

Coun Ralph Berry, Bradford Council’s executive member for children and young people, said: “Parents have been to meet the teachers events, they have bought the school uniform and now they are told the school will not be opening this year.

“Bradford Council will do our level best to ensure all of these children are found places this year but the Government should not just expect to be able to do something like this and think everything will be OK.

“If a local authority ran its affairs

Continued on Page 6.