A free new multi-faith primary school is to be opened by an evangelical Christian group. Located at the Emmanuel Christian centre in Erskine Road, the Emmanuel School Trust has won government approval. If everything falls in place, the school will open its doors in September. The trust is carrying out negotiations over a site that will be perfect for the ‘Emmanuel Community School. However, the administrative building located in Greenleaf Road, Walthamstow will be used by the organisation currently.
According to the proposals, 30 pupils will be accepted for year one classes in the first year and every year the number of pupils admitted will double, until they admit 200 pupils for reception. Funded under the free school scheme of the government, this project is sure to benefit a number of pupils in the area. The school is independent of control from the council and is funded by the Department of Education directly. Although the scheme to open free schools has faced criticism from National Union of Teachers (NUT), claiming that it reduces the quality of teaching and pay for the staffs, government
suggests that it will offer more choices for the parents and improved education.
Admissions process for the schools will begin on April 5. According to the proposals, the school day will run from 8am till 6pm Monday to Friday.
