Ministers back initial plans for two more free schools in region

YORKSHIRE remains at the forefront of the Government's free school movement with two more proposals from the region getting initial backing from Ministers.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Jan 2011, 21:34 BST
Updated 18th Jan 2011, 21:36 BST

The Three Valleys Independent Academy, planned for a site in Manvers, near Rotherham, and the proposed McAuley College Academy, being led by an existing school in Hull, have both been accepted onto the free school programme to develop their plans further.

Encouraging free schools is a key policy of the coalition Government. Parents, teachers and community groups are being urged to open up their own state-funded schools, which will be run independently like academies, whenever they are unhappy with the local council schools in their area.

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So far six schemes in Yorkshire have been given initial approval from the Department of Education including two proposed schools in Bradford, one in Birkenshaw and Batley Grammar School which wants to switch from the private sector because of falling pupil numbers.

The proposal for McAuley College Academy, in Hull, is being led by St Mary's College, the only outstanding secondary school in the city, according to Ofsted.

If the plan gets the go-ahead the new free school would open this year with 100 places available. It would initially be based in temporary accommodation on the St Mary's site before moving to its own base in 2013.

The other free school plan to be approved to the business case stage by the Department for Education has already had a change of leadership even though it is still only a proposal.

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Last year the Nationwide Independent College of Higher Education, proposed opening the school on a site in Manvers. Its principal and chief executive John Morahan has. however, since stepped aside to allow a new limited company, called Three Valleys Independent Academy, to take over the project.

Another free school plan in Rotherham has also announced progress this week after securing a partnership with a charter school in the United States.

The Rotherham Central Free School plan, being led by teacher Charlotte Blencowe, is to work with the North Star charter school in New York.

It has also secured Barry Elliott, one half of the Chuckle Brothers, to be its patron.

Related topics:YorkshireParentsGovernmentRotherhamManvers