Free school for Edenbridge?

The plan to open a secondary free school in 2013 has foundered on lack of demand.  However, a mini-baby boom could result in the potential pupil numbers stacking up for a 2015 intake.  Where would a school be located?  Finding a site, planning permission and building work all take time, so the steering group backed by the Harris Foundation will have to get its skates on.

See:

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Baby-boom-bring-new-school/story-17275772-detail/story.html

Free School for Edenbridge

No mention of Edenbridge on this map:

http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/m/map%20of%20free%20schools%20opening%20in%202013%20and%20beyond%20%20%20updated%2013%20july%2020

Has the project died a death?

http://www.sag-edenbridge.co.uk/

Anything to report?

The group known as SAG-Edenbridge (School Action Group-Edenbridge 2012) has a website:

http://www.sag-edenbridge.co.uk/

The following paragraph is from the website:

Lets not get run away with any ideas of what we are, can or want to achieve. An Open school in Edenbridge is the end result. There are many stagesand hurdles to complete before we get there. This is very early days and much to do, and this website and news letters will be the information point. There has been much comment on previous surveys and other websites with misleading information, this is not going to happen here. Honest progress good or bad will be published.We are sure there will be knock backs but with determination we should and can overcome them.

All most laudible.  However, nothing has been published on the site for months.  What is happening? Are plans to open a free secondary school in Edenbridge on course? 

A secondary school for Edenbridge:update

Sadly there is nothing in the public domain for me to provide an update.

The group behind the proposal has a website:

http://www.sag-edenbridge.co.uk/

From the website:

Lets not get run away with any ideas of what we are, can or want to achieve. An Open school in Edenbridge is the end result. There are many stagesand hurdles to complete before we get there. This is very early days and much to do, and this website and news letters will be the information point. There has been much comment on previous surveys and other websites with misleading information, this is not going to happen here. Honest progress good or bad will be published.We are sure there will be knock backs but with determination we should and can overcome them.

So far nothing on progress,good or bad, has been published.  Time for an update.

A New Secondary School for Edenbridge.

The publication in the Courier recently of information on the role being played by the Harris Federation and the School Action Group Edenbridge (SAGE) is welcomed. It has brought into the open what is happening and is a breath of fresh air after the distortions, incompetence and dithering we have witnessed.

I played a small part, in the background, to the story appearing in the press and I am delighted that the secrecy and conjecture has ended.

A new school for Edenbridge. Told you so!

A month ago I surmised that the mystery benefactor behind the proposal for a new secondary school in Edenbridge was Lord Harris.  This was hotly denied by the leading light of a group of residents agitating for a new school.

Today's Courier  carries on its front page an article and what do we read?  Only that the Harris Federation set up by Lord Harris is indeed looking for premises and helping to fund the achool.  I am totally vindicated.

It is clear from the report that the process of gauging demand has not commenced, so it is likely that should an applicataion be made to the Department for Education the earliest start date for the school will be September 2013.

It is a pity the School Action Group Edenbridge (SAGE) did not go public earlier. The reason given: it wasn't right to say anything until we thought there was a chance of success' is a bit lame given that one of the major criterion for success is proof of demand which can be achieved only by going public.

Not a mention in the report of the 'leading light' who seems to have been pushed into the shade.

Edenbridge School Saga: Update

There is to be an article in The Courier about the proposed new school.  One of the leading lights has expressed herself on the matter on Facebook thus:

Audrey Batchelor IT WILL TELL ALL

Audrey Batchelor GOING TO BE GOOD .....PUT A END TO ALL THE SHIT LOL X

Obviously 'speculation' not a word Audrey wishes to use. 

'Edenbridge Needs a Secondary School': the saga continues.

A few years ago Kent County Council decided to close the secondary school in Edenbridge.  One consequence of the decision has been the need to transport children to other towns for their schooling, which is not without its problems.  However, Edenbridge is not unique.  The selective system in operation in Kent results in many children across Kent travelling many miles to their schools, even more so for  children attending a school controlled by a faith organisation.

A small group of Edenbridge residents decided it would be a good idea to open a new secondary school in Edenbridge.  The local education authority is not keen on the idea which leaves the free school route as the only option.

The process to be followed to open a free school is daunting.  Just how difficult it is may be judged by following this link to the Department for Education website.  

So far the group working to open a new school has not been transparent. Rumours  have been circulating in Edenbridge about the proposed location, the name of a 'benefactor'  and the proposed name.  Little of substance is in the public domain, which is not good enough.  A free school proposal must show support for it from the community and in particular from parents of prospective pupils.

It is time that those behind the proposal went public: what is the proposed intake for the school, what is the proposed curriculum, where will it be located (planning permission will be required I suspect), who will be the owners of the company which operates the school?

Lots of questions, no answers.  To succeed a secondary school will need the support and commitment of the people of Edenbridge. They should be consulted now.

Edenbridge Needs a Secondary School

The title for this blog is taken from  a Facebook Group page.  The following has been posted by the leading light promoting the school:

GOOD NEWS .........................HAD LETTER BACK FROM MICHAEL GOVE .....ALL LOOKING GOOD .....WILL GET LETTER PUT ON TOMORROW ......EDENBRIDGE WILL GET A SECONDARY SCHOOL ....


Shall be told whom the 'mystery' benefactor is and when the school will open its doors?

A new secondary school for Edenbridge.

Many residents in Edenbridge regretted the closure of Eden Valley School. Children have to travel to adjoining towns and those who use public transport often miss out on after-school activities.

A small group met Sir John Stanley MP, whose constituency includes Edenbridge, last November to discuss their concerns and promote the idea of a 'free' school in Edenbridge.

It is unlikely that the local education authority will open a new school in Edenbridge, so the free school route is the only option available.

One member of the group has talked of a 'mystery' benefactor and that is the current position - a mystery.

It is clear from Department for Education information that the application process to open a free school is rigorous.  Evidence of local need and support has to be gathered.  There is no sign that this has happened or is happening.

The cry goes up from time to time from a member of the group: 'we shall have a new school in Edenbridge'.  It would be helpful to have a public statement on what is happening, who is involved and above all the identity of the 'mystery' benefactor.

A secondary school for Edenbridge?

'You never appreciate anything until you have lost it'.  Thus spake an Edenbridge resident to me yesterday concerning the closure a few years ago of the town's Eden Valley School. There were problems with the former school. Many Edenbridge parents chose not to send their children to the school and the buildings were expensive to maintain.

A few residents have started a campaign for a new secondary school in Edenbridge. As might have been expected, Kent County Council has shown no interest apart from the usual buckets of ice-cold water being dispensed.  The campaigners are meeting the local MP, Sir John Stanley, later this week to try and elicit his support.

One avenue open to Edenbridge residents is to go down the free school route. It is long, complicated, tedious and time-consuming, but it cuts out KCC.  It is probably the only route residents can take.  Now we are in the era of the Big Society, Localism and community empowerment it will be interesting to see who joins the campaigners and supports their cause.