as an ousider to support the local free school application

[WaxMyBoard]

We're 'outsiders' in our local rural community we moved here four years ago.

There is only one secondary school in a 20mile radius and a population bulge on it's way. A commercial free school development has already been turned down in the town but a group of parents, some born and breed here, most not, are looking at setting up a free school about ten miles away.

I went to a meeting undecided, it was all fairly normal, they want a nice school, mentor system, breakfast club etc when the whole thing exploded.
The deputy head from the established secondary school stood up and ranted about outsiders coming down here, telling them what to do, looking down on them, etc. The silence in the room was electric.

I thought that we'd settled here very well, we work, shop, good mix of friends from different backgrounds but this explosion from someone so key to the community shocked me. AIBU to not want anything to do with the 'locals' and throw myself in with the other incomers excepting that I will always be an outsider here.

YABU.

What one man thinks certainly doesn't represent what an entire community thinks, and it is a bit silly of you to jump from one person being annoyed with the situation, to thinking you'll always be an outsider.

If you don't have anything to do with the locals, then of course you'll be treated like an outsider. Don't become bitter just because of one person's opinion.

The deputy head probably has vested interest; if potential students go to the new free school, his school will lose out on funding. Hence his outburst. Don't take it so personally.

I suspect the deputy head teacher saw all the parents who take an active interest in their child's education opting out of his school and a massive gap in the PTA funds/volunteers/nice kids in class...

I'm still not very sure why people are so anti free schools...

i think yabu to "not want anything to do with the "locals"

i think that's an entirely separate issue tbh,. I am sure not all the locals think the same way this man does.

if you think the free school is a good idea and is needed and will be a positive thing then yes, you should back it.

Not sure where you are but was this meeting on Monday night in a county which begins with S ?If so I was meant to go but had sick child so didn't.Many existing school heads feel threatened by the new schools because they will take numbers away ,but a free school can only be established for definate once they have a significant number of people who sign up so really they can't argue with that,clearly they are not offering what the parents want

I think YANBU for wanting to be seen as a member of the community. All this "outsider" business carries on without being questioned. It isn't like they've moved directly into your house is it? They're a newcomer in the area and they should be made to feel welcome because otherwise you'll end up being a town full of grisly bigoted idiots who profess that it's "a local town for local people".

All very League Of Gentlemen. And all very disgusting.

I was really shocked by the outburst. I did n't realise that the us / them feelings really existed away from the regulars at the local pub.

As it stands the only local secondary school is a specialist sports one. It currently works because all the kids have to go there or else travel 25+ miles so it truely is a comprehensive with excessive amounts of sports equipment. It does work well for the community but will need to expand. Given the current political stance on education am I right in thinking that education funds are being poured into free schools and not into expanding existing schools?

I think that local people are directing a lot of anger at the 'outsider' parent group rather then at the politicans that are gradually dismantaling the local authority education provision.

DS is very academic, he's going to be the last one picked for the rugby team so an alternative school if it cherry picked off all the other non-sporty ones would suit him.