Final touches put to Leicester's first free school
By Dan Martin
From planning lessons to fixing locks on to the toilet doors, staff at Leicester's first free school have been busily preparing for the arrival of its pupils.
Krishna Avanti School, in Evington, was set to open its doors today and welcome 37 excited pupils who will make up its first two reception classes.
It is one of the first 24 free schools to open across the country this month.
Principal Christopher Spall, who will take charge of the Hindu faith school, said: "We've been working all the hours available to get the place ready.
"It has been hard but enjoyable and we are very excited.
"I've been back and forth to B&Q to get bits and bobs and my power drill has seen a lot of action.
"We want everything to be just right for the children and I am really grateful to the teachers for all their efforts."
Free schools are state funded but outside the control of local education authorities.
On Monday, children and parents were invited to an orientation day and lunch at the five-acre campus, to get their first proper glimpse of the classrooms and meet the first four teachers, teaching assistants, administrators and catering staff.
Mr Spall, who will ask the pupils to call him Mr Christopher, said: "It went really well but we'd only got our teaching resources 12 hours beforehand so it's been all hands to the pump."
Teacher Deepti Shah, 27, who has moved from Queensmead Community Primary, in Braunstone, said: "I'm excited and a little bit nervous.
"I was attracted to this place by the faith and nurture approach which I think will be great for the kids."
The Krishna Avanti School is open to children of all faiths and will have one Sikh and one Muslim pupil, though its first intake will be predominantly Hindu.
Project director Pradip Gajjar said: "There are principles from the Hindu faith that will really benefit children, such as having healthy vegetarian food, doing yoga and meditation.
"People will be watching us to see how we do as we are the city's first free school but we do not feel pressure. We will do very well.
"We have already had letters from a primary in Highfields, where the pupils are mainly Muslim and a number of Church of England Schools saying they would like to work with us. That is exciting."
The first few days of term will be half days while the pupils settle in. Teachers will be making home visits.
Backers hope to add a class every year until there are 420 pupils. Building work to create play areas, classrooms and spaces for worship is continuing.
The school's leaders also hope to establish a free Hindu faith secondary school in the city that will be ready in time to take this year's intake.
Mr Gajjar said: "We have been talking with the city council about opening a school since 2006.
"The free school route was really just a mechanism for us.
"Naturally, we would like a secondary school, though that will be some years off."
In the photo: Principal Christopher Spall in one of the classrooms
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