Free-thinking to gain parental support (From The Oxford Times)
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Free-thinking to gain parental support
7:00pm Tuesday 24th January 2012 in Education
Tracey Atkins and her son Matthew speak to Eylan Ezekiel
LEADERS of a free school scheme which could open in Oxford as early as 2013 have been drumming up support for their plans.
Under the Government’s education policy, parents, teachers or charities can open state-funded independent schools if they can demonstrate demand.
The Oxford New School (ON School) is one such project.
Educational consultant Eylan Ezekiel, from Florence Park, Oxford, was at the Westgate Centre on Saturday to share his vision for a school where lessons are based around skills rather than subjects, and which would not follow the National Curriculum.
The ex-teacher said: “We want children to be more aware of their community, more employable, healthier in body and mind, and get qualifications that prepare them for the future.”
Mr Ezekiel said the group was talking to Scottish authorities to see if the ON School could become the first in England to teach a Scottish curriculum.
If the scheme garners enough interest, Mr Ezekiel would apply to the Department for Education for permission to open the school by September 2013.
A formal consultation process would then begin.
Tracey Atkins, of Wood Farm, said she would consider the school when her son Matthew, nine, moves on to secondary education. She said: “Matthew is very sporty, and likes maths, so this could be good for him.”
Mr Ezekiel said the project was considering a number of sites in the OX3 and OX4 postcode area.
Parents can give views on the project in an online survey at onschool.org.uk
Comments(4)
cb1917
says...
10:27pm Tue 24 Jan 12
1.They take pupils and money from existing schools.
2. They increase social segregation.
3.They aren’t the answer to raising standards.
4.They will be run by business for profit.
5.They threaten pay, working conditions and union rights.
6.They are not democratically accountable.
Your_Kidding
says...
6:55am Wed 25 Jan 12
cb1917 wrote:And your alternatives would be ?
There are 6 simple reasons why this idea and all other 'free' school' proposals should be opposed:
1.They take pupils and money from existing schools.
2. They increase social segregation.
3.They aren’t the answer to raising standards.
4.They will be run by business for profit.
5.They threaten pay, working conditions and union rights.
6.They are not democratically accountable.
It's very easy to criticise from the comfort of your armchair not so easy to get up and do something, at least this man is trying to provide a better system than what is currently being offered.
cb1917
says...
11:00pm Wed 25 Jan 12
In what way is what he is proposing any better than a fully resourced, fully accountable, fully democratic, fully accountable, fully comprehensive state education system?
Tell me what things you consider to be wrong with the present system and how private business could improve this. They have made a mess of running the economy so how could they improve the education system about which they know nothing.
It is privatisation of public assets in the same way as the plans for the NHS are designed to open the doors to the privateers and free market.
Milkbutnosugarplease says...
10:20pm Tue 24 Jan 12