Primary free school proposed
Wednesday January 11, 2012
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has endorsed a bid for a new primary free school in the borough.
The West London Free School is proposing to expand, setting up a primary school in Hammersmith and Fulham to help meet the rapidly rising demand for primary places in the borough.
The school will be submitting an application to the Government next month to open primary places in 2013.
The plan is to locate the primary school on the Cambridge Grove site where the secondary school is currently based, providing an innovative ‘all-through’ school for children aged three to 19.
The secondary school’s long term home will be Palingswick House, Hammersmith from September 2013, pending refurbishment.
"Our primary school would offer the same classical liberal education as the secondary school with a core of academically rigorous subjects, complemented by plenty of music, art, drama and sport," says school governor and founding sponsor Toby Young.
"As part of our application, it's not sufficient to demonstrate basic need, of which there's little doubt," adds Toby Young. "In addition, we have to provide "evidence of demand" so, if you're the parent or carer of a child who will be applying for a primary school place in either 2013 or 2014 we would like to hear from you."
The school has an expression of interest form online (opens new window).
H&F Council is one of the country's leading supporters of extending parental choice through free schools, with three free schools already up and running in the borough.
The council's children's services cabinet member, Cllr Helen Binmore, says "The West London Free School has proved hugely popular with parents and is a wonderful addition to the range of schools on offer to local parents. Demand for places outstrips supply in our borough and we will continue to ensure a first-rate education for all local children."
According to current projections, 1,643 children of primary school age will be applying for reception places in 2013.
There are currently 1,508 places available, with additional permanent and temporary 'bulge' places planned in a number of schools where demand is greatest. Current data indicates that over the next few years a further three additional forms of entry will be required in the north and two additional forms of entry will be required in the centre of the borough.
The council’s strategy of ‘Schools of Choice’ placed parental preference as a key priority when considering expansion or development of school provision. In West London Free School’s second year it received 1,074 applications for 120 places, of which 254 were first preferences.
If the bid is successful, it is expected that the capital funding would be provided in addition to any funds currently allocated to the council and, as such, would have no financial detriment to other schools.
