Free Schools - what would make anyone go to one?

[Gorrillerof3b]

Just been reading about free schools again and plans for even more next year. Why would anyone choose a free school over a well-established state primary with a good reputation? What on earth is the point of them? Has anyone anything good to say? Not convinced at all! Can't find any recent discussions about this so wondered if people have changed their minds over time - nobody seemed very impressed a year ago.

I'm not sure you can lump them all in together.

For example, a disproportionate number have been Hindu schools: I should imagine the desire for a faith education is an important driver for some families.

And of course not everyone can secure access to a well-established school with a good reputation. Your choice is between schools you don't like, for whatever reason, and a new one then I should imagine the 'choice' looks quite different.

There was one being set up here, in the news - I contacted them and offered to get involved, but then it hit me that it was going to be a private, fee paying school and I backed out as I can't afford private.

If they were actually free, that might help a bit.

Um that's the whole point. Free schools aren't fee paying. They're independent state schools.

The one here was. I was so excited and then they sent me an email with more info, and it had a lot of stuff about fund raising, fees etc. I think.

I know I backed off sharpish.

Do you know I may have completely misunderstood.

I think it might be free after all.

I am going to have to apologise to them.

Are you sure they are free?

Rooney - yes they're free.

Gorrillerof3b - they're also the only practical way of creating new community schools under current rules, so areas that desperately need new school places are encouraging free school proposals. They're not necessarily 'alternative provision' (though some are). They can look very much like your traditional comprehensive or community primary if that's what is wanted by the local community. In fact the best way to make sure you don't get a quirky one, is to set up a mainstream one first!

At the moment, they generally look more like a means of diversifying choices available to parents.

Though there are some, like Bolingbroke, that are hand in glove with LEA who have used the programme to get the dosh for a school that was badly needed.

The while point is that they're being set up where parents don't have access to state schools with a good reputation. Because they're full or you're the wrong or no religion.