New school bid

Thursday December 17, 2009

Two parents who want to set up and run a local school are being backed by H&F Council.

Emily Phillips and her sister Claudia Fein, who live in Shepherds Bush, have been in discussions with the council to give parents in the borough another option when deciding where to send children to school.

Miss Phillips, like many local parents, does not want to have to send her daughter Scarlett Whiting, three, to a school that is out of the borough.

Miss Phillips and mother-of-three Mrs Fein, whose youngest daughter Tatiana is five, want to open a new establishment.

Miss Phillips said: "We would look at having about 20 children to a class and the school wouldn't follow the national curriculum. The council has been very supportive."

Although the council has been backing 'parent power' for the past two years, current legislation means it cannot go a step further and 'hand over' a venue free of charge.

The law also does not allow the council to set up a new school of this kind.

H&F cabinet member Sarah Gore said: "If there were a reform of the restrictions over the provision of state education, we would immediately look at how we could help groups of enterprising parents and others get their plans off the ground.

"Locally, we have some of the most oversubscribed schools in London and more school places are needed in the area.

"We understand the difficulties facing parents and we want to empower them, giving them more choice when deciding on their children's education."

Miss Phillips added: "We are hoping that we will be able to open next September but of course it all depends on a change in the current rules."

A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said: "Parent groups are encouraged to come forward to their local authority as promoters of new schools where local provision is insufficient to meet their needs, or they want a different style or ethos of school in their area."