Parents to run their own school

By Angela Harrison
BBC News education reporter

The group say their school will make the most of the environment

A group of parents who dreamed of having a school in their village have seen their dream come true - they have been given permission to open one.

Villagers from Bolnore in West Sussex are the first parents in England to have won the right to open their own school through a competitive process.

Their primary school for 210 children will be built in regenerating woodland near Haywards Heath.

At the moment, children from the village travel to 20 different schools.

Most are driven to schools three miles away.

People in Bolnore - a growing community - had long wanted to have a school in the village and when West Sussex Council announced last year that one was needed they seized their chance.

Parents speak of their delight at the decision

The council, in line with government policy, invited proposals to establish a primary school there.

Local authorities in England can no longer just build schools which they then run, but have to put proposals for new schools "out to tender".

This policy came in two years ago, and applies only to England.

Cassandra Yeend, vice-chair of the Bolnore School Group, told the BBC News website how villagers' dreams began to become reality.

"It was one lady, Julia - it was her dream and goal. She is my neighbour and she knocked on my door and asked if I would be interested in getting involved."

The Bolnore group - made up of eight parents and two other villagers - drew up their proposals and West Sussex County Council has now given it the green light to create a new foundation school for boys and girls aged from four to 11 from September 2009.

Dream

The school will initially open in a primary school in Haywards Heath, three miles away, but will move to new buildings in September 2010.

Our proposal is about partnership. It's about bringing together the best people to ensure that every child can flourish and reach their full potential Julia Bunting Thring, Bolnore School Group

It is the first time parents have succeeded in a competitive bid to run a primary school, but it is not the first parent-led state school.

Elmgreen Secondary School was the first to be created in partnership with parents when it opened in 2007 in West Norwood, London.

Parents there took action because of the shortage of secondary school places in the area.

Bolnore School Group chairman Julia Bunting Thring said: "We're incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to create a new school that will meet the needs of all our children, our families and our community.

"Our proposal is about partnership. It's about bringing together the best people to ensure that every child can flourish and reach their full potential."

Choice

Jim Knight, Minister for Schools, said: "This shows that our policy of increasing choice and diversity for parents and pupils is really working. We want new and distinctive groups to get involved in education where this has the support of the local community and will help to raise standards.

"This could include other schools, local colleges and universities and other institutions with a presence in the area, perhaps in a shared trust.

People have asked will I be teaching maths and Julia English but who will teach French Cassandra Yeend, Bolnore School Group

"And we particularly welcome the involvement of parents and local residents themselves who know the needs of the children and the area. I congratulate the Bolnore School's Group on their success, and wish them all the best for the future."

Cassandra Yeend says the school will follow the national curriculum and the parents will not be taking classes.

"People have asked will I be teaching maths and Julia English but who will teach French.

"We will be a self-governing foundation school shaped by parents and have a governing body which some of our group will sit on.

"We have all become absolutely obsessed by it and if other parents decide to follow our lead, and bring about change we would be thrilled."