Education

Parents are in talks with Wokingham Borough Council over having a free school in the town
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Plans for free school gathering speed

By Laura Herbert
September 28, 2012

Plans to create a free school in Wokingham town are moving quickly as almost all parents asked are in favour of the idea.

A number of mums and dads launched Evendons Free School group to look at the possibility of creating a free school within the town to ease the rising pressure on primary school places.

The group launched a survey and questionnaire and 94 per cent of the 200 parents asked were in favour of creating a free school.

The survey also revealed around 34 parents said they would consider moving their child from a borough school to the new free school.

Plans for free school in Wokingham

Member Victoria Webb said: “We had a good response from the questionnaire and survey so our next step is to work on a proposal to start the process of applying for a free school.

“We are waiting for clarification about setting it up for 2013, if not we will set it up for 2014.”

Mrs Webb, of Luckley Wood, continued: “Some of it is fear factor as we are hearing the birth rate is going to be much higher and the free school is creating an extra choice so it gives parents more control.

“Wokingham Borough Council have said they have issues with school places next year.”

Council officers are currently holding a series of meeting with parents to address the school places issues and the council has pledged to create at least 90 extra primary school places for the September 2013/14 intake.

The council’s preferred option is to create new additional school sites with options including a new academy or free schools, or split sites managed by existing head teachers and governing bodies.

Evendons Free School group is also looking for possible sites to set up a free school, with the former White House School top of the list.

Mrs Webb added: “We have asked the council to let us know if they know of any other sites around this area and we are talking to estate agents to see if they know of land for sale.”

Find out more find Evendons Free School on Facebook.

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Most recent user comments 3 of 3

That's 34 parents moving their child currently attending another primary school... The main motivation here is to provide primary school places for next years intake ie children not attending school yet. There was an acute shortage of primary school places in Wokingham this year with many parents not getting any of their school choices leading to long school commutes across town, siblings at different schools, and some parents having no option but to home school their child. There will be an even greater demand for primary for school places next year...

cmb, wokingham
28/09/2012 at 22:52

But the article also says only 34 parents would consider sending their child there!! - so about 15% of those who supported the idea. Sounds like they were asked to sign a petition and wanted to get rid of the person.

Better headline might be

No real support from parents for free school.