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November 2010: Free Schools There has been considerable interest among UK Steiner schools in the government's Free Schools initiative. This offers the possibility that Steiner Schools could move into the maintained sector and become state funded while continuing to deliver their very distinctive style of education. For example, Norwich Steiner School are considering becoming a free school. Since the launch of the Free School initiative, there has been considerable enthusiasm from Mulberry Tree teachers and parents about the possibility of converting the Mulberry Tree Kindergarten into a Free School. It is proposed that the age range of children be extended to include those up to 11 - i.e. to become a Free Steiner primary school. We have already featured in the local press with the following article featuring in the Thornbury Gazette: Despite a couple of small inaccuracies (we are not intending to create a new “independent” school but a free school, there are no “owners” of the kindergarten it is a charity and we would be offering something quite different to St Andrew's school in Cromhall and to a wider catchment) it is a pleasing article and we will be looking to work with the gazette throughout this process. Open Day The Kindergarten held an Open Day on Saturday 2 October to investigate whether there would be demand for a Free Steiner Primary School in South Gloucestershire. Parents, past parents and friends of the Kindergarten were contacted and a petition started (see below). It became clear from the responses that there is a great amount of warmth, enthusiasm and support for this project. As a result of the Open Day the project committee now feels energised to move forward with the second stage of the process - the completion of the application form. The current project committee Following on from the Open Day, a project committee has now formed, initially this is; Clare Benson, Karin Naydler, Saskia Bradner, Jacqui Tolfree, Sian Whelan, Robert Bartholomew, Sarah Mattos and Chris Mattos. Application form As part of the application that is to be prepared, we need to establish evidence of the demand for places that might be expected were Free School status to be granted to the Mulberry Tree Kindergarten. Some of this has already started in the form of our petition. We will continue to collect signatures (the more we have the stronger our case will be), so if you are able to ask friends and family to sign a copy of the petition – this would be greatly appreciated – also please feel free to forward the petition onto anyone else that may be interested. Every current or potential parent of a child at the school will have their own views on the proposed application and its implications for the educational choices they make for their children. As a starting point, we offer here a summary of points that are most often mentioned in discussions of Steiner schools and Free School status. Further information on the Free Schools policy, including several FAQ sections, can be found on the government website or the New Schools Network. If you have any thoughts or ideas regarding a Free Steiner Primary School in South Gloucestershire, please
e-mail Chris Mattos on the address below.
Hereford Steiner Academy The experience of the first state-funded Steiner School, the
Hereford Steiner Academy, which opened in August 2008 suggests that state
funding can lead to a considerable increase in demand for places. Financial security A more clearly positive factor is that the financial support and higher pupil numbers we could expect as a
Free School would ensure that the school thrives in both the economic and social senses and that it would become genuinely accessible to
families regardless of their financial situation. As well as no longer asking parents for fees, we would be in a position to pay a salary to our teachers that
better rewards them for the wonderful work they do. The provision of resources such as books, games and other equipment; the employment of
specialist teachers and administration staff; and assistance with capital costs, such as building acquisition, may be other benefits. Getting involved If you are interested in supporting our project, there are many ways that you could help. The easiest way is to
sign up to our e-mail list and receive our regular updates – please e-mail Chris Mattos, if you are interested on
chris.mattos@btinternet.com Alternatively, you may be able to help at our future events and fund raisers or have the time and energy to
actively help on our project committee – again, please e-mail Chris is you are interested. |
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