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Free Schools? | Nothing in life is free!

Published

5 years ago

January 29, 2015

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After over 2000 Caversham residents signed a petition against free school location at Albert Road Park, this article came to my mind. Do we need a Free School?

Free schools are ‘additional schools’ and were set up in the Academies Act 2010. Free schools are brand new schools which are additional to schools planned and provided for in a local authority area. A free school can be set up by any suitable proposer where there is evidence of parental demand such as a petition or declaration from interested parents. The proposer could be a charity, an academy sponsor, a university, an independent school, a faith group or an edu-business. Free schools will have the same freedoms as academies. Free schools may be run for profit by private companies.
“For example I admire the sentiments behind some of the faith organisations creating Free Schools, however, I suspect that just because you say that a school is open to everyone in reality it will be known as a school devoted to a particular faith and remain closed to those of different faiths and none.”

I have five reservations about free schools.

Free schools undermine local democracy
Funding for free schools will damage funding to other schools
Choice and competition are ideological obsessions, they don’t raise standards but widen inequalities
Free schools could lead to school closures
Free schools lead directly to privatization and education being run by private, profit-making companies

The creation of ‘free schools’ (known as ‘additional schools’ in the Academies Act 2010) are inevitably going to damage the educational provision of other local schools if they attract pupils from them The more academies and free schools you create the less maintained schools get. This creates a two tier school system of the haves and the have not’s, those that can afford to travel to a ‘choice’ school and those that cannot, not very fair or equitable.

It is now almost universally agreed that Finland has the best education system in Europe. Its school system reaches the ideal – it produces both the highest standards and the best equity. There is no competition at all within the Finnish school system. Why is the government not aspiring to this and learning the lessons? Why are they trying to implement policies that have failed in other countries? Is it a case of ideology over evidence and pragmatism?

Related Topics:Free Schools? | Nothing in life is free!

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Published

2 weeks ago

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Summer Screens has been leading the way in open air cinema since 2011, bringing our unique events to some of the country’s most beautiful and unusual locations, offering the definitive outdoor cinema experience.

Still time to experience this magnificent outdoor cinema

Caversham Court, Reading

Church Road
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RG4 7AD

Doors open: 7.30pm
Film start: 9.15pm

Please be aware that all guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.Unfortunately no children or infants under 5 years old are permitted.

Ticket & Seating Options
For further information on ticket and seating choices, please visit our ticket options page.

Food & Drink
Summer Screens bar is available at all our events and serves a range on alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and cinema snacks including wine, prosecco, craft beers, tea, coffee and popcorn.

Questions?
Please see our FAQ page.

How to get here
On Foot: For the venue location, please see the map opposite.
Parking: For local parking information, please visit Parkopedia
Trains: For train information, please click here.

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The grass cutting services are designed to meet safety needs while providing value for money and increasing bio-diversity.

Scheduling grass cutting is a difficult balancing act, as growth is so dependent on seasonal factors, such as rain and sunshine.

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A day in Reading, Berkshire

Lone Digger Caravan Palace (unofficial music video)

Published

2 weeks ago

September 9, 2019

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Photo: Shutterstock

Captured by filmmaker Charles (Charlaaye) over a day in 2019, this video of Reading will definitely take our breath away.

Charlaaye in his own words “This is a short music video I filmed during my holidays in Reading, Berskire, England. Using the song Lone digger by Caravan palace.
I wanted to make a video exploring the town of Reading (were I grew up), exploring some of its different locations and the overall vibe and atmosphere it gives off as a town. After hearing the song now featured in the video, I knew it would be a perfect fit.
I had a lot of fun making this video and would appreciate it if you could tell me what you thought about this video in the comments, I’m open to all feedback as well as criticism.”

Interest in buying any footage featured in this video? Or any other type of footage?

Check out his Stock footage library!
https://www.pond5.com/artist/charlaaye