'Why the secrecy over free schools?'
A CAMPAIGNER who twice tried to set up a free school in Stoke-on-Trent has accused the Government of a culture of secrecy and of repeatedly moving the goalposts.
Pat Smith claims the system is stacked against parents and community groups, as they don't have the financial clout and experience to navigate the complex bidding process.
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Campaigner Pat Smith has accused the Government of a culture of secrecy surrounding free schools.
Her comments come just as Education Secretary Michael Gove and his department have been ordered by an information tribunal to reveal details of applications to open free schools.
The Government has previously refused to disclose these details, despite The Sentinel and other organisations lodging Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requests.
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Mrs Smith, from Nantwich, said: "Everything has been so shrouded in secrecy. I think it's partly because they keep changing the rules. I went through the application process twice and you'd do one thing, then new rules would come out. I don't think the Department for Education (DfE) even knows its own criteria."
She drew up plans for a new secondary school in Bucknall after losing a fight to stop Mitchell Business and Enterprise College being replaced by an academy.
Mrs Smith, a former chairman of governors at the college and a community action group hoped to take over the old Mitchell building.
"I couldn't say I was given specific reasons for the application being rejected," said Mrs Smith.
"But they did comment on there not being enough parents signing up and it being too reliant on set-up costs. The people who tend to get their applications approved are large organisations, like school chains. If you're an ordinary community group, it's 20 times harder."
So far, more than 70 free schools have opened across England, with a further 102 approved for 2013 and beyond.
But there is only one in Staffordshire – the Rural Enterprise Academy, in Penkridge, near Stafford. While in South Cheshire, Sandbach School re-opened as a free school in 2011.
In Stoke-on-Trent, at least three free school bids have been rejected, including one for a special school because it would have cost too much to convert a building.
The latest group to apply wants to open a Muslim faith school in Longton. Asif Mehmood, chairman of the trust behind the bid, said: "I'm hopeful it will be successful."
The Sentinel submitted an FOI request to the Government last year, asking how many proposals had been submitted for free schools in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Cheshire East, the types of groups applying, and the grounds for rejecting applications.
At the time, a DfE spokesman said releasing this information could 'deter' future applicants and 'undermine the programme'.
But the Government last week lost an appeal to prevent the British Humanist Association gaining similar information about free schools.
A DfE official said they were now considering the tribunal decision and would 'respond in due course'.
What do you think? Email letters@thesentinel.co.uk
5 Comments
by Backdoored
Thursday, January 24 2013, 2:55PM
“'Why the secrecy over free schools?' -Sentinel Headline (to this story)
erm... um? Seems to me that where free schools are concerned -Faith based or not -'secrecy' is the buzz word. 'The Secret Muslim Closed Societ' -of Stoke-on-Trent. Would you go long with that? The evidence is there for that description isn't it.'
And those who support it -and want to 'influence' the debate on the Sentinel Website -this thread too, can only bring themselves to 'secretly' PLAY THE RED ARROW TACTIC -they, for some 'secret reason' -refrain from explaining why they disagree with those such as myself, who don't want taxpayers' money -STATE FUNDING A MUSLIM FAITH SCHOOL -or any other 'faith' school'.
Could it be that those 'hitting the red arrows' ha\ve a poor grip of English? Their English learned from people in their community who's own standard of English is below par. Muslim Teachers -more interested in 'the religious aspect of life' than that of the wider world and a full rounded education?
Until those who put up the RED ARROWS -voting against those like myself, who oppose this Faith School in Longton -are prepared to explain their reasons for 'red-arrowing' my stance, then I am left to believe that indeed -it is because their poor education from Faith Schools in Pakistan -prevents them from expressing their views and joining this 'open debate'.
Any takers? Mullahs of the World Unite.”
by Backdoored
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 11:55PM
“Whether related to my posts or related to others posts -I'm always suspicious when I see 'red arrows' -without an accompanying critical comment -reflecting the opposite view -as represented by the red arrow -in this case 2 red arrows.
So at least two people disgreed with my views -yet chose not to expalin why -on what grounds -Or what specific points in my comment did they object to? Nine hours have passed since I posted my comment up; ample time for the 'red-arrowed secret brigade' to put their points across. Why so 'tight-lipped'? A valid question -in a democracy?
Is it because they are simply 'voting blind' -not really sure of their ground? Whatever the reasons -it is an interesting aspect to the 'debate'. Red arrows 'cloaked in secrecy'.”
by Backdoored
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 2:40PM
“I wouldn't bet on it. In fact it most unlikely to come about.
For one -the Muslim Igra Charity has ignored a fundamental regulaion in relation to parts of the criteria to be met for 'State Funding' to be given to such a proposal.
Government Officials, in the various channels of decision-making re the application process in such proposals, both locally -evidence collection, and more importantly -nationally.. where the proposals are scrutinised, and discussed in depth, and finally decided upon by the Minister for Education and Science -Michael Gove and his Committee -are strictly required by law to adhere to the criteria laid down by Parliament.
They don't take kindly to 'backdoor' shenanigans or cavilier local disingenuity; -especially where the question of 'integrating' the unexpected massive number of immigrants who came into Britain in the 90s and at the first part of the last decade is concerned, -the massive unexpected numbers, putting such estra strains on our Social Services (Education, Hospitals etc) all because of and through Labour's mismanagement of their Immigration Policy (which they have put their hands up to -admitting 'mistakes') -is at the centre of such concerns that Michael Gove and his Committee will have to address.
Watch this space. March is 'decision time'
NB one of the 'suspect criteria arousing concern is that the main grounds for the proposals made by the Muslim Charity proposing the New Faith School in Longton, is that the New State School to accomodate 'all pupils' from the south of the city - Longton area included of course, and to be built in Bentilee is easily 'WITHIN THE DISTANCE CRITERIA' laid down by Government Regulations applicable right across the UK.”
by BucknallMel
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 1:58PM
“Let's face it, we all know how to get a free school approved in this city, and we will be seeing it happen very soon, in the Longton area...”
by Backdoored
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 10:05AM
“"The Government has previously refused to disclose these details, despite The Sentinel and other organisations lodging Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requests.
Mrs Smith, from Nantwich, said: "Everything has been so shrouded in secrecy". -Sentinel.
'Freedom' of information eh? What a joke... a political joke. If it's not fraudulent expenses with their snouts in the trough -all parties, then it's lying cheats too we have to deal with.
Why don't we adopt a Democratic System? There's far more transparency I'm told.”