LEICESTER "FREE SCHOOL" PRAISED

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Head Sally Hughes with, from left, Diya Mistry, Myleen Mander, Neha Kancherla, Malwina Fudala & Abhay Keshwala 

Leicester "free school" praised

by Fiona Dryden, Education Correspondent

The first of the Government's "free" schools to open in the city has been given a good Ofsted report.

The visit was the first by inspectors from the education watchdog to Krishna Avanti Primary, in Evington, which opened two years ago.

Inspectors said pupils made good progress from their starting points, teaching was good and Krishna Avanti had a warm and caring environment which made good provision to support pupils' strong spiritual development.

Interim head teacher Sally Hughes, who took over from outgoing principal Christopher Spall when he left just before Easter, said: "It's fantastic news. The inspection was rigorous, but the outcome was just as we expected, showing that we know exactly what level we're operating at and what we need to do to become outstanding. It's well within reach."

Free schools can be started by charities, parents or teachers. They are outside local authority control, but are paid for by the state.

The report said pupils' behaviour was outstanding and they were "highly motivated learners who were kind, considerate, and caring" towards one another.

They said that staff used innovative IT to bring learning to life and this supported children well.

In addition, they praised the quality of teaching in the Early Years Foundation stage for being "outstanding".

They said that classrooms and their displays were vibrant and learning was "well-organised".

Mrs Hughes was also praised for settling in so quickly and rapidly winning the confidence of parents and staff.

They said she had an "accurate overview" of the school's performance.

She said: "The report is a true reflection of what we're doing here and highlights many of our strengths.

"I think the school's ethos of tolerance and respect shone through during the inspection. It's evident in our pupils' eagerness to learn and enthusiasm to be here.

"We have some outstanding teachers and have employed two more, along with four extra teaching assistants who start in September to accommodate our growing numbers."

The school will have 165 pupils in the new academic year and will be at planned capacity.

Mrs Hughes said: "We're a school that embraces all cultures and that was highlighted in the report through our pupils' spiritual, moral, and cultural development."

Pradip Gajjar, chair of governors, said: "We've done exceptionally well in our first report and we know what we need to do to be even better. The school is oversubscribed for September and that speaks volumes for the confidence of parents in what we're doing.

"We feel very proud of what's already been achieved."

To improve even further, inspectors said that teachers should be more confident to adapt activities.

TEMPLE LEADERS YET TO DECIDE SITE OF NEW SIKH FREE SCHOOL

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury (but not on its website):

Temple leaders yet to decide site of new Sikh free school

by Fiona Dryden, Education Correspondent

Sikh leaders in the city have yet to decide where their new free primary school will be.

The Department for Education announced this week that a bid by nine temple leaders in Leicester to create one of the government's new-style schools had been given the go-ahead.

Although it is expected to open in September 2014, a location for the school, to be known as Falcon's Primary, has yet to be confirmed.

The bid was the second to be made by the Sikh school steering group.

A previous application in July last yer was turned down by the Government because it was not deemed strong enough.

Indy Panesar, a spokesman for the group, said: "We're working closely with the department and the city council to find a suitable site."

He said the bid had been well researched and robustly presented to meet the criteria laid out by the department.

Mr Panesar said: "I'd like to praise the team of volunteers who have sacrificed substantial amounts of their precious spare time.

"Leicester's reputation as a beacon of multi-cultural living is well deserved and we trust this new multi-faith proposition will allow all prospective students to fulfil their potential.

"We aim not only for academic success, but also to equip youngsters with the life skills to cope in today's society."

Free schools are set up by charities, parents or teachers outside local authority control, but paid for by the state.

Although Falcon's primary will welcome children from all faiths, half of the places will be preserved for Sikhs and it will serve only vegetarian food.

Councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for schools, said that it was "heartening" the group was committed to working in partnership with the council and schools across the city in the best interests of all children.

The school could help alleviate some of the shortfall in primary places in the city.

The city council has already pledged £15 million towrds creating extra classrooms at 17 primaries to help meet predicted demand.

The work will create 380 places in Leicester - needed because of a rising birth rate, arrivals to the city and because more residents are expected to choose local schools over those in the county as results ontinue to improve.

Government cash will help fund the cost of creating the new primary. It is not yet known how much this will be.

However, the Department for Education spent £4.5 million buying and developing the city's only other free school, Krishna Avanti, in Spencefield Lane, Evington, on behalf of the Krishna Avanti Trust. The trust contributed £200,000 of its own cash.

FREE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL LEAVES POST

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Free school principal leaves post

by Fiona Dryden

The principal of Leicester's first free school has left after less than two years in the post.

Christopher Spall took up the job at Krishna Avanti Primary, in Spencefield Lane, Evington, when the school was launched in September 2011.

Occupying part of the former Leicester Grammar Junior site, the school has a Hindu ethos, but takes youngsters from all faiths.

The appointment of Mr Spall, a Christian, was seen as evidence of the school's commitment to welcoming everyone, regardless of religious background. He had been head teacher at an international primary school in Kuwait and taught in Basildon and at Loretto, a school in Scotland.

The Mercury was unable to contact Mr Spall, but chairman of governors, Pradip Gajjar, said he had left for personal reasons.

He said: "We are very grateful for the time he has been able to give to us, helping to launch the school and seeing it through to its successful second year. We were very thankful for his leadership."

Mr Spall left his post at Easter, following an official opening of the school by Education Secretary Michael Gove. Interim head, Sally Hughes, has now taken over.

Mr Gajjar said: "Sally has extensive headship experience and has delivered outstanding results. Parents were informed quickly.

"We are now looking for someone to fill this as a permanent role."

Krishna Avanti Primary was set up by The I-Foundation, which runs a school in Harrow, North London, using capital funding from the Government.

Free schools can be set up by charities, universities, businesses, teachers and parents and can set their own curriculum. However, Krishna Avanti follows the national curriculum.

An advert for the head teacher role placed by the school in the Times Education Supplement states: "The role will entail leading the school to outstanding and beyond. This is a unique opportunity to help lay the foundations of a growing and innovative school."

For more information, call Mr Gajjar on 07812 586790.

www.krishna- avanti-leicester.org.uk

EDUCATION SECRETARY OPENS FREE SCHOOL

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Education Secretary opens free school

Education Secretary Michael Gove unveiled a plaque at a school yesterday to mark its official opening.

The minister was at Leicester's first free school, Krishna Avanti, in Evington, where he cut a ribbon in front of guests and pupils, including Leicester East MP Keith Vaz.

Mr Gove pioneered the free school concept in which parents, charitable groups and others can bid to set up a school.

Krishna Avanti was set up by the Hindu-based Avanti School's Trust in September 2011, using £4.5 million of Government funding.

Mr Gove spoke about the "inclusive" nature of the school, which takes pupils from all faiths.

Head teacher Christopher Spall said: "It was great to have the minister here and to celebrate the opening with guests from across the city's faiths.

"It also gave us a chance to show off the facilities and to thank all those who helped bring the school together."

KRISHNA AVANTI PRIMARY SCHOOL OFFICIALLY OPENED BY RT HON MICHAEL GOVE MP

I'm privileged this morning to have been invited by the Governing Body of Krishna Avanti Primary School to attend the official opening of the school, in the presence of guest of honour The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education.

Krishna Avanti Primary School is housed in Evington Hall (a Grade II Listed Building) which was built in 1835 as the home of the Sheriff of Leicester. Set in five acres of of lush grounds, the spacious site provides an ideal environment for learning and play. The hall was previously home to Leicester Grammar Junior School. There has been a major refurbishment and new build programme which combines the very latest in modern design with the heritage of Evington Hall.

Keith Vaz MP (in whose constituency the school lies) acts as MC for the visit. Mr Gove's car is about half an hour late, which gives guests more time than we expected to mix and mingle in the cold outside the front entrance to the school.

Once Mr Gove arrives, it's hard to get a decent photo of him, despite my best efforts (witness exhibit A, above, where Mr Gove's face is obscured by the furry microphone on Nick Harmer's video camera). I have more luck getting a shot of Mr Gove leaving (exhibit B, below).

The Minister's visit is covered extensively in the local media (see reports in the Leicester Mercury before and after, reproduced in this blog) and on the school's website.

EDUCATION SECRETARY TO VISIT LEICESTER'S FIRST FREE SCHOOL

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Education Secretary to visit Leicester's first free school

Education Secretary Michael Gove was due to officially open Leicester's first free school today.

Mr Gove pioneered the free school concept and will visit Krishna Avanti, in Spencefield Lane, Evington, to unveil a plaque at the site.

The Hindu free school, which was set up by the Avanti School's Trust in September 2011, takes pupils from all faiths but has a Hindu ethos.

Some £4.5 million was granted by the Department for Education to the trust to buy and develop the school in the grade II-listed building, formerly occupied by Leicester Grammar Juniors.

A contribution of £200,000 was also made by the trust.

Mr Gove said: "Free schools such as Krishna Avanti are helping to raise standards across the country.

"Krishna Avanti provides an inclusive education with a special Hindu ethos that is rightly popular with parents and I'm delighted to have this opportunity to meet the staff and children."

Krishna Avanti was created under the Government's new education agenda where parents, charitable groups and others can bid to set up a school, providing they demonstrate the ability to do so.

Although free schools don't have to follow the national curriculum, Krishna Avanti does.

It is funded via the local education authority in the same way as most schools, but money goes directly to the school and no cash is retained by the city council for central services.

Three free schools in London are also run by the trust.

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz will also be at the site for its official opening.

John Simpson, chairman of the trust, said: "We're pleased Michael Gove and Keith Vaz have accepted to formally open Krishna Avanti.

The trust now has four schools in its family, each of which are committed to providing a distinctive high quality education."

Mr Vaz said: "I'm delighted that despite his busy schedule, Mr Gove is coming here. I want to pay tribute to Krishna Avanti, who worked long and hard to acquire this school, and for the land to remain as an education site. This is a symbol of what makes Leicester so special."

Finishing touches to the school were made at the end of last year. It now has two new classroom blocks added to the building and a worship hall which doubles up as a dining area.

A large plaza has also been created. The grade II-listed building has been repainted throughout and new carpets added.

ANGER AS FAMILY TOLD TO TRY HINDU FREE SCHOOL FOR PLACE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Anger as family told to try Hindu free school for place 

A family have been told to send their five-year-old two miles away to the city's Hindu free school after they were informed three local primaries were full. 

Micayla Dodd and her partner, Ryan Thompson, moved from Thurmaston to Lymington Road, in Netherhall, in October, along with Micayla's daughter, Grace, five. 

They have since been told none of their three nearby primaries, including Scraptoft Valley, at the end of their road, has places. 

Leicester City Council has instead suggested the family apply to Krishna Avanti Primary, which is more than two miles away, in Spencefield Lane.

The family said they would prefer Grace studied closer to home than this school, which has a Hindu ethos and takes half of its pupils from the Hindu faith.

Krishna Avanti Primary said it "promotes educational excellence, character formation and spiritual insight through holistic, responsible lifestyles and a vegetarian diet, as well as a curriculum that integrates yoga and meditation".

It draws on the teachings of the Indian Saint, Sri Chaitanya, to "emphasize equality, love, compassion and selflessness that stretches across all faiths".

Mr Thompson said: "I have nothing against the faith, but, it's not the type of school we would consider sending Grace to. It's disgusting the local authority can't find a local school to send her to and is suggesting one that's not even part of the local authority."

Krishna Avanti is the city's first free school and has control of its own finances and curriculum. In keeping with its Hindu ethos, the school provides only vegetarian food.

Mr Thompson said: "It's not good enough that although we applied in November for a place, Grace still doesn't have one, let alone that the only one available is Krishna Avanti, and not any of the three schools close to where we live.

"The council needs to do something about the fact there are no places.

"Grace was thriving at her old school, Church Hill Infants, and now she's really withdrawn. She had lots of friends there and the best thing to do would have been to start her new school straight away.

"Now, she's scared about going to a strange place where she doesn't know anyone. She's lost all her confidence."

A spokesman for the city council said it was only obliged to ensure there were a sufficient number of places within the local authority area.

He said: "This includes voluntary-aided, trust and free schools, as well as academies and community schools. We are not obliged to provide solely community school places.

"We were unable to offer a place at any of the applicant's three preferred schools as they were all fully subscribed and advised that places were available at the nearby Krishna Avanti Primary. We also advised the applicant of their right to appeal the decision.

"We're exploring a range of options to increase capacity and create additional primary places across Leicester. This work is ongoing and it's too early to discuss in detail."

The council needs to find thousands more primary school places to tackle a shortage caused by an increase in the city's birth rate and more people moving to the area.

Options could include some secondary schools taking pupils from the age of four and expanding some schools for pupils aged four to seven into all-through primaries.

LEICESTER'S HINDU SCHOOL IS A BEACON, SAYS EDUCATION SECRETARY MICHAEL GOVE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Leicester's Hindu school is a beacon, says Education Secretary Michael Gove 

By Joseph Watts, Parliamentary Correspondent 

Education Secretary Michael Gove praised a state-funded Hindu school as "a beacon" today, commending its founders' goal of helping children become "model British citizens". 

Mr Gove said the opening of Krishna Avanti School, in Evington, Leicester, demonstrated the extent to which Hindus had integrated into British society. 

He said: "I see Krishna Avanti School as a beacon and everything that I've heard about it makes me think that it's a fantastic option. 

"I know that there have been people who have been working with the school from north London who are Christian, Jewish and Hindu and I think that reflects the fact that British Hindus are an immensely well-integrated section of our society and are making fantastic accomplishments. 

"As well as recognising what is special and distinctive and cherishable about British Indian culture, it's also the case that the people behind this school want to make sure the children grow up as model British citizens." 

The school, which aims to have an eventual capacity of 420 pupils, opened on Thursday. 

Children of all faiths can attend the school, which currently has one Sikh and one Muslim pupil, though its first intake is predominantly Hindu. 

Head teacher Christopher Spall is a Christian. 

Pradip Gajjar, chairman of governors said: "I think Mr Gove captures our ethos very well. 

"Our whole objective is to use the backdrop of the national curriculum to provide educational excellence through academic achievement. 

"But we also want to focus on the character of the children and their spiritual experience." 

Free schools were introduced by the Government. They are state funded but outside local authority control. 

Any educational, community, faith or charity group can apply for funding to set up a school. Krishna Avanti was among the first 24 to open in the UK this month. 

Opponents have argued that by promoting faith schools the Government could encourage segregation or allow extremism to take root.

Mr Gove said: "We have been clear that faith schools must have admissions rules which mean they can only select 50 per cent of their students on the basis of their faith. 

"Secondly, we've been very clear that any extremist or fundamentalist organisation should not be allowed to open a school. 

"Thirdly, faith schools run by mainstream representatives of mainstream faiths are a force for good. 

"Church of England, Roman Catholic and Jewish schools have been part of the educational fabric for 100 years and they are hugely popular. 

"I don't see any reason why you can't have Sikh, Hindu and Muslim schools that are also exemplary. 

"If any school is proposed by anyone with a separatist agenda or taken over by anyone that's got a separatist agenda, we'll come down on them like a ton of bricks."

FINAL TOUCHES PUT TO LEICESTER'S FIRST FREE SCHOOL

From today's Leicester Mercury:

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

LEICESTER'S FIRST FREE SCHOOL STARTS TO RECRUIT

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Leicester's first free school starts to recruit

Thirty parents have applied for places for their children at Leicester's first free school.

Krishna Avanti Primary, in Spencefield Lane, Evington, will be the country's second Hindu school when it opens.

Sponsor the I-foundation said it was pleased with the number of applications so far and there were still have places for another 30 children.

An open day on Sunday will give parents of four and five-year-olds a chance to look around the site.

Half of the places will be reserved for Hindus. The rest can be of any other faith or none.

Chris Spall, who will take up the post of head teacher following a three-year stint in Kuwait, said the school would follow the national curriculum but adopt a Hindu ethos.

Meals will be vegetarian and pupils will grow some of the vegetables in the school's garden.

Meditation and yoga will be on the timetable and children will learn about all faiths.

"We want the school to be a calm, peaceful and purposeful environment and for the children to learn about the world around them, whether that's being a Hindu, a Catholic or any other faith," said Mr Spall, 58, who did his teacher training at Loughborough University.

"I still intend to hold a nativity at Christmas but we'll celebrate Hindu festivals, too, along with other cultures," he said.

Youngsters will start the school year in one part of the building and temporary classrooms while work is completed on the former Leicester Grammar Junior School site.

Every child will be equipped with an iPad 2. Mr Spall said: "Children can really embrace the iPad because of its touch screen and it means there's instant access to information which can enhance outside learning, too.

"If we're planting potatoes in the garden and we want to find out how long they take to grow, children can find out at the touch of a screen."

Mr Spall said he intended to visit every child and their parents before they start at Krishna Avanti in September.

"I'm really excited about the future," he said.

"Once parents see what we're planning and how it will look, it's really going to take off.

"I've worked with many religious backgrounds and cultures and it's that diversity which attracted me to this post.

"We want to set up links with other schools in the city so that children get to experience as much as they can."

The free school was one of only eight approved by the Government last year.

It will be funded directly by the Government and will have freedom over its budget.

Project director Pradip Gajjar said: "We're very pleased with numbers so far and will look to grow in the future as intended.

"We're going to have a new school that's fully renovated and we're very excited about opening in September.

"We've had a lot of inquiries and some parents may think we're no longer taking applications. That's why another open day is planned on Sunday."

The open day runs from 11am until 2pm at the school.