A group of parents in the West Yorkshire region have been involved in a campaign to open a Free school in the Birkenshaw Middle School campus at Kirklees. Birkenshaw has been scheduled for closure by 2013. However, the Kirklees council has now given approval for another private school to relocate to the site. This decision has left the parents cheated.
David Cameron, during the election campaign, 2010, endorsed the campaigners and the legislation that the government brought in, opened up the possibilities for parents, universities, charities and other groups to open free schools. Parents insist that if the free school is not being set up, the children would have to travel for around 6 miles to go to other schools.
Mehboob Khan, Leader of the Labour Controlled Authority however mentioned that the free school can be set up in other locations in Birkenshaw. He also said that the final decision will be made on or before September.
The legislation was made four years ago but it is to be noted that only one out of four petitions for a free school have been approved so far. Ed Balls, Children’s Secretary says- “Though the concept of free schools is good in certain ways, it in also important to note that it might lead to several consequences that are detrimental.” The parent’s group are however determined to continue their campaign.
Via- BBC
