Potential sites identified for free school

The Free School Leeds, which is due to open in September, has shortlisted two potential sites in the north west of the city.

The school will be a mainstream primary but with teaching which is dyslexia-friendly.

The Government is encouraging publicly-funded free schools to be started for scratch in areas where there is parental demand.

The idea for the Free School Leeds was started by Pat Payne of the Leeds and Bradford Dyslexia Association. She is now working in partnership with the Free School Norwich, who are helping to develop the plan for a new school in Leeds.

On Saturday an open day event is being held at Weetwood Hall conference hall from 2pm to allow parents to find out more. Ms Payne and Tania Sidney-Roberts, the founder and principal of the Free School Norwich, will give presentations on the ethos and aims of the school and explain how a IT “cloud-based” system will work for pupils and parents.

Mrs Sidney-Roberts said: “Since opening in Norwich we have fine-tuned the blueprint that is being adopted for Leeds.

“We have considerable working experience and excellent progress data. This model will ensure the success of the new school and will provide a successful unique 21st century educational service for every parent and child.”