to tell what I know about this free school?

[notagossip]

ok I've namechanged for this as I don't want to get anyone into hot water.
A couple of friends (mostly via FB in the last few years since we all went back to work) are talking about applying for places at a recently opened free school for their DCs for next year. This school opened in the building of a school that closed in July due to falling pupil numbers, however the free school claims this is a temporary measure and they are looking for land to build a brand new school, this is on their website and is what the staff and governors are telling parents. But I know this isn't true, the DfE have told the school that they will be staying where they are for they foreseeable future. Do I tell what I know? I don't want to get into a thing about the rights and wrongs of free schools but I do feel that the parents are being hugely misled and if I was considering this school I would be very angry if I found out I was being lied to. I know if do I speak up at least one of my friends will not apply to this school as she doesn't like the place where it is at the moment. Also most of the 30 kids already there use the free transport and this will become unavailable or have to be paid for by parents when the funding runs out.
Should I just keep out of it? I don't want to be caught in the middle of a big political ho-ha.

[meditrina]

Our LEA/community school had a "temporary" extra block - it stayed in use for over 40 years before the "permanent" rebuilding was don.

Whatever the funding mechanism (free-academy/VA/other state/independent), until the building work actually starts, or the movers arrive, no-one should count on "planned" changes to premises actually happening.

[hiddenhome]

How is this school expected to get off the ground without pupils though? Presumably, the parents must know that these things take time to establish and that they aren't going to shuffle off into a lovely new building at the drop of a hat. They're a bit naive if they believe this.

[hiddenhome]

If it is Durham, then they're going to struggle to fill places as the two existing secondaries already have very good reputations and the places they're hoping to gain pupils from are too far away really. If the bus service dries up then there's no way those pupils could easily get to school from the places listed.

[lottiegarbanzo]

Talk to the school - head and chair of governers - ask why they're promoting themselves with information you're aware from the DfE is false. Copy in the DfE as relevant.

Stirring things up with parents would not be a very constructive approach, unless you are able to point them to the information you're party to, or to a significant absence of information about funding and support for new premises.

[LeggyBlondeNE]

Pretty obvious which school it is to anyone who lives in the local area.

There's all sorts of information and misinformation flying round about this school. I've heard all sorts from different sources both in the school and in other schools. Not really sure what to believe. I'm getting th impression the organisers are genuine but wildly optimistic...

Worth raising the Bristol thing definitely.