The introduction of so called 'free schools'

As the Government create a 'free school' system for all middle class parents to set up in their own large homes. So under the new plans as tax payers we will be paying for individual parents and children creating their own schooling structure and content.

In the times of spending cuts, is this the most cost effective way of schooling and teaching our children. I guess the really question will be the cost per student. Will each child get an individual laptop / computer, how about day trips, parents currently have to pay a contribution will this continue under this 'Private free  school' system.

So the government is privatising the education system, as the so called 'free school' systems starts private business can start running Britain's education systems. So just think your child could soon be going to your local Coca Cola academy or your local Starbucks education centre.

Government sets out how to establish 'free schools'

The government in England is setting out how parents, teachers, charities and other groups can apply to set up their own "free school".

Free schools will be independent but funded by central government.

Ministers will launch an online guide saying groups must set out demand from parents, the school's aims, curriculum, teaching methods and possible sites.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) says the policy will create "chaos" at a local level.

The free schools policy is one of the two key plans set to change the shape of England's schools system.


The other is the academies programme, where good schools are being encouraged to opt out of local authority control.

Some schools are due to convert to academies in the autumn. The government expects the first of the new breed of "free schools" to open in September 2011.

Education Secretary Michael Gove says the schools are a way of raising achievement in areas where local authority-run schools are not providing a good quality education.

The New Schools Network, which advises groups on how to set up schools, says 600 groups have already expressed an interest.

The body links groups to "education providers", who would set up trusts to do the day-day running of the schools.

In most cases, parents themselves might play a role on a new school's governing body but would not be involved in the teaching or the running of a school.

In the second stage of the application process, groups would need to have a full business plan, setting out the school's financial viability.

Sweden

Groups wanting to set up schools would have to comply with all aspects of "rigorous suitability and vetting tests", the government says, including CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks.

Free schools will not have to follow the national curriculum but will need to provide an education that is "broad and balanced", in the same way as new academies will.

The scheme is based on the system in Sweden, where non-profit and profit-making groups can set up schools - funded by the government but free from its control.

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "Rather than providing opportunities to all parents, it will privilege the few at the expense of the many.

"Despite reassurances from Michael Gove that 'free' schools would not be run for profit, there is the strong possibility under this system that governing bodies could increasingly contract out the running of schools to private companies in return for management fees.

"Adopting such a business model to our schools will amount to the sweeping dismantling of our education system, turning it over to unaccountable, unelected companies."

Sourced from The BBC