has anyone thought about setting up a 'free school' due to their child's SN?

[cornshilk007]

Just reading an article about parents setting up schools. Anyone thought about it?

Yes, but I'd be rubbish!

Why? You thinking of doing it?

Is it even viable with the specialist intervention that some need? Would THAT be funded?

What I'd like to see most is 'free specialist support;, that is schools and parents with vouchers and having the LA and alternative providers compete for them.

No not thinking of doing it just wondered if anyone had. I'm sure they have rules anyway to avoid giving their cash to those pesky SN kids

would love to, was only saying to dh the other day I would love to set up a preschool for children with sen, as we all know what good outcomes come with early help :)

I'd love to open one for children who were school phobic - there is simply no provision out there

would love to- but no-one I've spoken to is keen to help- I would love to start it on the lines of a community school eg:using the local sports centre,swimming pool,parks etc and would love it to be open to sn kids and those enlightened parents of nt kids who would would like to educate their children in a less 'prison-like' manner ......ah well.....(no idea about funding)

I would love to set up a Steiner school in Worcestershire. Their ethos sounds perfect for children with SN and the adaptability of the curriculum would allow it to cater for school phobic children.

I've fantasised with a friend who runs a nursery but I don't have a penny to put behind it so it's not going to happen .

Al1son, I got into SN in the first place through working 2 mornings a week at Sheiling in Ringwood

Also, have a look at the Stable Family Home Trust :)

I'll have a Google, thanks.

There is a lady in suffolk looking to set up a primary school for children with emotional & social difficulties, ASD, adhd ETC.

I think she is in the early stages of getting an applciation together, consulting Suffolk Parents etc.

Funding comes in the same way as for any school Riven but from central government rahter than lea. The school then have the freedom to buy in support from whoever they identify as the best possible person rather than being obliged to use the LEA Salt for example.

if you set up a school are you allowed to be employed within it?

I'm thinking quite seriously about it. OK-ish provision for children like mine at primary level but fuck all at secondary.

I wouldn't teach there though!

I know there's a need; I just need to start looking at the application forms.

Wonder where you are. I might have a look at the forms myself

Norf!

Exactly Norf or off to one side a bit?

Off to the side nearest Ireland!

Yes you are allowed to be employed in it.
once a school is approved usually they first appnt a head & then senior staff.

I think generally what happens is a group of like minded people recognise a need & put together the application.
Once the application is approved a board of governors is elected who then would recruit the head.

Part of the application process is to demonstrate a need or demand for the school & this means people must register an interest.
They would then invite applications for governors once approval is recieved.

There are a number of schools that have ben successful and there are more that are in the process of applying.
As long as the application process is stringent enough to regect any weirdo's or people with alternate agendas then it should really work well.

lol givemesleep we are very cryptic! Just seeing if we were in the same area as we are clearly like minded folk but don't think we are.

The New Schools Network has all the forms etc you'd need to fill out if you were proposing to set up a Free School. I had a look at it a while ago and I have to admit, it left me feeling . I think you'd need a strong and committed team, probably with previous relevant experience, to be able to do it successfully.

I think it is possible for parents to set up a specialist school though - Hillingdon Manor was set up by a parent and I think one of the NAS schools was originally set up by parents (although neither of them are Free Schools).

It would be good if there was some kind of network set up for parents to get in touch with each other, who might be interested in setting up a certain kind of school. I wouldn't want to lead a FS project and I don't know of any parents locally who'd be interested/able to get involved, but I'd be willing to support it as a parent.

Treehouse actually do a really good pack about setting up a school- and most if not all of the ABA schools have been set up by parents.
We have an amazing independent school up here in Scotland called the New School- which caters for secondary age young people with a range of challenges including school phobia, ADHD,ASD ...check out their website and anyone based in Scotland you should go visit...a very close family member of mine works there and it us truly amazing
www.thenewschool.co.uk/

ps they take young people from anywhere- worldwide

I have been thinking about this a lot lately but as you can see from my poor grammer and spelling i am not clever enough .

There is only 1 school in my area for ASD children as well as 1 sn school (which apparently dd2 is too bright for). Dd2 is not enjoying school but our options are very limited as the sn school wont take her. If dd2 doesn't settle soon i feel i will be forced to home ed.

I wish someone would open a school for MLD/asd/adhd etc..

or i wish i was bright enough to be able to do it .

Marne... spelling and grammar don't have much to do with cleverness. You'd be setting it up, not running the English lessons! Though poor planning and general disorganisation would be my disqualifications for starting a school.