Councillor backs Free Schools system

A Huddersfield councillor has given his backing to the government's Free Schools project as figures show a mixed response across the country.

Under measures announced last week by education secretary Michael Gove, parents, those in education jobs and charities can all apply to take over the running of their local schools.

Figures for the first week show that over 700 applications have been lodged, but the geographical split is not an even one.

Over half of the requests have come from London and the south-east, while only eight have come from the Merseyside area, which was a key region mentioned by Mr Gove when the scheme was launched, the Liverpool Daily Echo reported.

However, Huddersfield councillor Robert Light said he felt that Free Schools would generate a lot of interest in the area as parents and teachers seek a more hands-on role in the running of their schools, the Huddersfield Daily Examiner said.

Ofsted last week praised the work of teachers in deprived areas, where the number of institutions achieving outstanding status in the latest inspection results matched the national average.

Posted by Hariet McGowan

Published On 21/06/2010