Our Patch APRIL 2016
It's an unusual
start to the
school day
when you find
yourself having
a chat to the
Prime Minister
HOW WAS SCHOOL TODAY?
average of 10% in state secondaries, the
school will have grown to 840 pupils by
September next year.
Co-founder Toby Young said: “It’s
fantastic that the West London Free
School is now in its permanent home
in Hammersmith. Having the Prime
Minister open the new building was a
proud moment for everyone.
“The 600 pupils didn’t know he was
coming to school assembly, so it was
quite a surprise. They’d been told to
expect a VIP, but they thought it was
going to be Andy Slaughter, the local
MP, who’s visiting the school later
today to talk to some of our geography
students!
“There were a few jaws on the floor
when the Prime Minister walked in.
It was a fantastic moment and I
hope they’ll remember it for
the rest of their lives.”
The PM said: “I’m
delighted that there are
now more good schools
in London and elsewhere
as a result of the free
schools programme,
providing children from all parts
of our communities with the best
opportunities in life.”
Under headteacher Hywel Jones and
chair of governors Ian Hunter, the
school has 10 applicants for
each place, making it one
of the most popular state
secondaries in England.
It was the first free school
to sign a funding agreement,
and one of the first to open.
The original 120 Year 7
pupils take GCSEs in May.
funding cutS 'WOULD drain money from LoCAL SCHOOLS'
G
overnment plans to
redistribute education funding
would see cuts of at least
10% to the budgets of local
schools, warns H&F Council.
The cuts could threaten jobs, affect
the range of subjects taught, and even
damage the long-term viability of some
schools after standards have been rising.
“The national funding formula
would cause huge problems for local
teachers, parents and pupils,” said
Sue Macmillan, cabinet member for
children & education.
“This is why the H&F Council is
determined to stand with teachers and
parents and fight the plans.”
The council has written to all local
headteachers to share details of the
government’s proposals, asking what a
10% cut to their funding would mean.
Schools have indicated that cuts
could see teaching and support staff
roles vanish and subjects discontinued.
In the words of one headteacher, the
likely cuts ‘would compound what is
already a crisis in our schools’.