Hello!
I'm really interested in hearing your opinions so please read on and reply.
I am a teacher of Mathematics. I was educated abroad but trained to teach in the UK. Teaching is my calling but all the academies and comprehensives I have known over the years are a sad business.
I am obsessed with starting my own school. It needs to be independent in order to remain free from the control of LEA and OFSTED.
I'll try to be clear and succinct: it is a low-cost school. The fees should be no less than £300 per each of 12 months and no more than £500. Students study only academic IGCSE (Maths, additional Maths, Bio, Chem, Phys, Eng Language, Eng Literature, History, Geography, one or two Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)). This is our focus - academic learning leading for the 3 years leading to the GCSEs (years 9, 10 and 11 - ages 13 - 16). We would start 1 year early to allow time to work on the basics and to extend further later on. For example, a student gets up to speed in Maths in year 1, achieves an A or B by year 2 and, by year 3 they are ready to receive an A*/A and to sit additional Maths as well. If we start early, we'll have time to be successfull without stress.
Our great advantage is the availability of tutorials with subject teachers at the end of the day, for better support. I have worked out timetables for this effect. One short tutorial (20 min in a group of 3 or 4) at least once per week. All teaching of academic subjects takes place before lunch, with the exception of MFL. The remaining time is spent in non- academic activities, tutorials, homework, reading and supervised study. The school day would finish about 17:00.
Admission would be subject to successful interview and record/reference of positive behaviour. The idea is to take in students who are "flying under the radar" or those who need a bigger challenge. No misbehaviour allowed.
Meals (optional) would be brought in by a catering business and the daily cost would be less than £6, including a simple breakfast, lunch and a break time snack - all simple but healthy. I am particularly mindful of the need to keep it healthy.
My problem at the moment is that I'm not sure what parents value the most and if they would support this vision - a vision of focus on true academic learning and excellence. Sporting activities would be encouraged but optional and paid seperately (Judo and dance would be my first choice). Other options would include Swimming, Music and Drama, also paid seperately.
The facilities would not impress you. I am looking at underutilized office buildings anywhere between Guildford, Maidstone and Cambridge. If they have good natural light, air flow, good acoustics and are generally decent, they work for me. Large green football fields are miles away from the budget. The appearance will be functional and modern - luxuries come at a luxury's price.
I am also a big fan of Saturday tutorials/ remedial teaching, trips and sporting activities. Is that a good idea or too much school in a week?
One more thing: there are no half-term holidays. For me, a half-term is one-half of a job done, so I see no reason to pack up one's things and go on a holiday. Half-terms are a great opportunity for field trips, cross-curricular projects and great lessons that are not necessarily academic in nature. It is, perhaps, a great time to hire science equipment and do some experiments.
I cannot go any further with this project until I understand what parents like yourself find essential and what they can do without.
Thank you for reading. Please, let me know what you think.