Where will the school be?
We are looking to locate the school somewhere in South Oxford - and have already identified suitable sites.We can't go any further in revealing details of sites being considered at the moment as at this stage we need to prove demand for the school before we can work with the government on acquiring a site. Further down the line in the application process we will be in a much better position to reveal possible locations for the school.
What is a Free School?
Free Schools are all-ability, state-funded schools set up in response to parental demand. Under the Government’s Free School plans it has become much easier for charities, universities, businesses, educational groups, teachers and groups of parents to get involved and start new schools.
These new schools will have the same legal requirements as academies and enjoy the same freedoms and flexibilities to help them deliver an excellent education, provide genuine parental choice and drive up standards in our schools across the country. Like academies, they will be funded on a comparable basis to other state-funded schools and will not be profit making.
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/typesofschools/freeschools
When would the school open and what is the timetable for the process?
If we can prove parental demand we will take an application to the DfE at the end of February 2012, for an opening of the school in 2013. The process contains many hurdles, of which the February date is the first, followed by interviews, reviews and support meetings with the Department for Education. We hope to get approval before September 2012 - which would give us 12months to open the school for the first intake.
Does supporting your proposal mean I cannot send my kids to another school in the city?
Not at all! The registering of your support is not a commitment to send your children to ONSchool. Once we have proven demand, and our proposal is approved, we will be able to demonstrate a more tangible choice - and hope that you feel able to consider us as your first choice!
How would the school be governed?
We are proposing that ONSchool is established as a Cooperative Trust using the Free School arrangement- which - which means that we will have to follow the principles of the Cooperative movement.
This means that instead of funding coming from the government, through the LA grant, and then to a school, it will come direct from the Government / Department for Education, straight to the school.
Although the Free School model is the same as the Academy model in legal terms, the biggest difference is that it puts the ability to set up a school in the hands of the community - not in the hands of a sponsor - which is often a company or faith organisation.
We intend for elected representation from the community into the school governance, close involvement from other educational organisations, and to work as closely with the County Council as possible. We believe in local democracy and local government, and would like to work with councillors and officials to do this.
ONSchool will be lead by a team of two: The Headteacher and Chief Executive. The Headteacher will be responsible for managing the teaching and learning. They will know the names of the kids, be there at the school gate to talk to parents, and support the development of an ethos.
The Chief Executive will ensure that the school runs smoothly. The will ensure that classrooms are suitable for learning, meals are hot, toilets are clean, emails and phonecalls are answered promptly, and that the money the school receives is well spent.
Both roles will be expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and be able to bring experience to this new school.
Who is behind this proposal?
The key instigators are normal parents who live in the local area, including:
Eylan Ezekiel is a local resident of Florence Park with an extensive career in education. He is an ex-primary school teacher (mostly in London), who has worked in national policy, publishing, and has set up a business in the city. Eylan has instigated the proposal for ONSchool. To find out more about Eylan, you can see his website, his Linkedin profile, twitter account, and can often find him in Florence Park trying to keep up with his two daughters.
Leisle Ezekiel is a University Lecturer and has worked for many years in the National Health Service as an Occupational Therapist. As an educator, Leisle has a special interest enabling young people to think critically, to fulfil their potential and develop skills to promote their health and wellbeing. As an occupational therapist, Leisle brings concepts of social participation, occupational balance, justice and opportunity.
Adrian Sell has lived in and around Oxford for most of his life. A father of two, he is Director of Services for Age UK Oxfordshire, an independent local charity. He is also a trustee of two charities, one working with refugees and the other supporting the scout and guide movement.
His working life has included time in front line services for older people, strategic planning and management in a County Council, organising the Cowley Road Carnival (the largest community event in Oxfordshire), as well as working on emergency relief programmes in Liberia, Rwanda, Kosovo, Algeria and Dominican Republic. @adriansell
Richard Kennell began his teaching career in Leeds in 1991, teaching Economics and
Business Studies, and taught for 15 years at a variety of comprehensive schools
in Yorkshire and Oxfordshire. During that time he performed roles such as
Head of Department, Advanced Skills Teacher, Head of Sixth Form, Assistant
Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher.
As Deputy Headteacher at Gillotts School between 2002 and 2006 Richard
oversaw a major change programme that led to the school making a 23%
improvement in its 5A*-C percentage.
At present Richard is running KFES Ltd (www.kfes.org) and is working with Oxfordshire County Council to develop a strategic approach to helping young people into work or
learning. His Need a Direction course has worked with over 100 unemployed
young people and provided positive progression for many. Richard has developed and delivered a character education programme for the TDA called The Ethos Project. This work continues under the heading BAM (Behaviours, Attitudes and Mindsets).
Richard is also cofounder and director of The Teacher Centre (www.teacher-
centre.org.uk) , a resource for the development of professional dialogue amongst
education professionals and is the vice chair of the Oxfordshire Skills Board.
Richard is married to Ruth and has three daughters. He is a school governor,
charity trustee and enjoys playing cricket and football.
