Cambridge free school?

[Hattie2323]

I was wondering if there is any thoughts, discussions or plans for a secondary Free School in Cambridge?

The city seems particularly suited to a free school given the poor results of many of the secondary schools and the sizeable academic demographic. Cambridge will need a new secondary soon as there is significant expansion going on in and around the city.

I've searched but can't find anything online, so I thought Mumsnet might be a good place to ask. Any thoughts people?

[rosemarie04]

what do you mean by free school? we are located just outside the catchment area of the chesterton community college and in the catchment area of the north cambridge academy. i haven't heard too many good things about that school but i have the feeling that it has been and will be improving even more.

[WilderRose]

You are right rosemarie, NCA is very much on the up. It is the most improved school in Cambridge and one of the most improved non selective schools in the country.

www.northcambridgeacademy.org/

I think Hattie you need to visit secondary schools and get tours/ talk to Heads before dismissing them out of hand. I am sure you would be welcomed.

[northofcambridge]

I seem to remember that there is talk about the need for a new secondary at some point - don't know if it would be a free school exactly - Cambourne is a new school but is in federation with Comberton - I think it might technically be one -so that looks like the model they might go for in Cambridge?

[niminypiminy]

The local plan includes a new secondary to serve the eastern side of the city. IIRC the council are currently looking for a site in Barnwell. Free schools divert scarce resources from LA provision. There will soon be a shortage of secondary places in the city because of long-term population growth, and the County Council is already planning for this.

[Cantusemyusualnickname]

The original Cambridge Free School. I wonder whether a new one might go the same way in time, given likely/possible education cuts in the next government?

[northofcambridge]

I thought it was impossible to open a new school that wasn't a free school?

[niminypiminy]

No, all new schools have to be academies. So a local authority can open a new school and it will be an academy (so not under local authority control). But afaik local authorities can't open free schools.

[prsnbx]

Which of course begs the question: 'what's the difference between a free school and an academy?' which is(n't) answered here: www.gov.uk/types-of-school/academies

[niminypiminy]

Just like this gov't education policy: muddled, badly-thought out, strong on ideology and weak on practicability

[neolar]

Hi Lola. I'm sorry but your questionnaire is really not clear at all.

Question 5. Describe the provision could mean anything, whether is is over or under subscribed, whether there are academies or maintained schools, whether it is middle schools or infant and junior.
Question 6. I don't know what you mean by the "range of schools"
Other questions were also unclear, but your survey won't let me back on to look at the questions again to clarify.

[Tingalingle]

I've tried, Lola! Not sure what you mean by the question about what is 'important to you' in a school. If the suggested changes are things a parent would actively avoid, does that make it 'very important'?

I would hate to be quoted as finding faith provision and compulsory footie 'extremely important to me' whilst running rapidly in the opposite direction...