The leads of the former Rivendale Free School have long been quiet but have recently revised their website. They have a main navigation that covers what appears to be a bid for a new school - looking for a location for a Rivendale Primary School. The rest of the site seems dedicated to the new vein of being an academy sponsor ... read more and comment →
We have just learned that Rivendale has formally withdrawn its bid to open a free school in Hammersmith and Fulham. Since the very vocal opposition to placing the free school within 150m of a good local primary, Rivendale has looked into another local building but was unable to procure it or fit a school within its confines. Since that time ... read more and comment →
Latest comment by Janet Downs: "The Government praises "parent power" when it demands a free school (irrespective of whether there's a need) but when parents disagree with Government policy they are branded as "Trots" being manipulated by reactionary local authorities, the education “establishment”, unions, socialist ......"
Comment + Debate I have finally gotten around to updating the PACS website with the flurry of Freedom of Information Act Responses we have received recently. Some highlights of interest: The first comments of interest were found within the refusal we received from the DfE for copies of correspondence between Rivendale and the DfE. The first bits of the refusal have ... read more and comment →
We learned on Saturday that Rivendale had popped its had up in Brent - but I have just been made aware of a potential proposal by Rivendale for siting a school in Hackney. This was covered today in the Hackney Citizen. According to the article, 'Rivendale “only wants to go where there’s demand,” says Woods, “so the advantage we ... read more and comment →
Latest comment by Janet Downs: "It seems Rivendale is touting for business. They're asking parents who want a school in their area to contact them. At the same time they're asking for "expressions of interest". How can parents express an interest if ......"
Comment + Debate Lucy and I attended the Anti Academies Alliance conference today. I talked briefly in the community opposition workshop, and for a short time at the free schools workshop. In that workshop, several light bulbs went off. The first was piqued by a comment in the audience - that Rivendale Free School was appearing in Brent. For those who do not ... read more and comment →
Latest comment by Martin Francis: "Hi Tracy, I was the gent in the audience raising the issue of Rivendale having its eye on Brent. We have heard no more since but it remains a possibility due to the school places shortage locally and Brent's decision ......"
Comment + Debate I am still waiting for four out of five of our local Council FoIA requests on issues related to Rivendale Free School, but yesterday the Free Schools group at the DfE sent a response to one of our Freedom of Information Act requests. I'm quite pressed for time at the moment but wanted to put it out there for those who ... read more and comment →
Latest comment by Tracy Hannigan: "Yes 'thinking space' was good, as was the allusion to perhaps things being recorded inaccurately if things like this could get into the public eye. To protect the honest deliberations which inform decision making of course...."
Comment + Debate It appears the ARK Conway two form entry primary free school slated for White City in Hammersmith and Fulham may have to be reduced to being a one form entry school.Press releases by the school and the local council have recently cited the 63 applications for 60 places as evidence of real demand and need – but we now await ... read more and comment →
Latest comment by roslyn: "I don't support the free school concept at all as a general polic and agree wholeheartedly with the first statements made by Francis and Sarah which I think capture the lack of sense in this policy perfectly. Personally I ......"
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We may be starting to see a few cracks appearing in the shiny new free school model. The proposers of the Rivendale Free School, in West London, have announced that they are withdrawing their bid for a local health centre which they had planned to convert to a new school by September. The reasons for this are two fold - ... read more and comment →
Latest comment by Tracy Hannigan: "Rivendale has expressed interest in another local building, 250ish metres from another good one form primary. The building is on a large busy road across the street from Brook Green. The building, previously a school, is too small ......"
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