A step nearer to Free School

Newark’s proposed new Free School has received ministerial approval, paving the way for a funding package to be signed and a September 2013 opening.

Schools minister Lord Hill of Oareford has written to those behind the Exemplar Academy giving the Government’s agreement to the approval already given by the Department for Education.

The Department for Education will work alongside the Exemplar team, which aims to deliver an alternative secondary school to The Grove — rebranded as The Newark Academy — and the Magnus.

The department can still pull the plug on Exemplar at any stage if there is anything it is unhappy with.

An initial bid, proposed as the Everyday Champions Academy, was revised after it was rejected by the Department for Education in October 2011, amid concerns creationism would be taught as fact.

The Everyday Champions Church no longer sponsors the bid, which was resubmitted in February and received departmental approval in July.

Exemplar would not have a designated faith status, but would be based on a Christian ethos. It would have a business specialism.

A spokesman for Exemplar said: “There is a lot to do and the project team will be managing a number of activities over the coming weeks to let parents and potential pupils know more about the school and how to apply for a place.”

The Department for Education has looked at a number of sites for the school and an announcement is expected in the coming weeks on its chosen location.

Free Schools are funded by the Government, but have greater freedoms than schools run by local authorities.

The Education Funding Agency carries out detailed feasibility studies on any publicly-owned properties that are suitable for Free Schools.

Like academies, Free Schools have more control over things such as the length of the school day and term, the curriculum, and how they spend their money.

They are not allowed to make a profit. All funds raised must go back into improving education for pupils.