Opponents warn that St Luke’s ‘free school’ will not solve shortage crisis

Published: 19 August, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

A PROPOSED “free school” in Hampstead will not solve the acute shortage of primary school places in Camden, education campaigners have warned.

Last week, St Luke’s Church, in Kidderpore Avenue, announced its bid to open Camden’s first “free school” in September next year, with lessons taking place in its hall.

Those spearheading the application said it was driven by the “desperate need” for primary provision in Camden, where 76 pupils were left without a place for this academic year. 

Last summer, the problems were so bad the Town Hall was forced to hire, equip and staff a former church hall in Courthope Road, Gospel Oak, as a temporary education centre. Council officials have already forecast further problems in 2011.

But campaigners have warned that a school as small as that being proposed would do little to ease pressure on places while at the same time diverting money away from other schools. St Luke’s Primary would open with 15 pupils.

Deirdre Krymer, a former Camden education chief and governor at South Camden Community School, said: “What it is proposing to do is set up a little ‘free school’ in a very affluent area of Camden, with money diverted to it from the main education budget. It will be socially divisive and won’t address the shortage of places as it will be a tiny school with an intake of 15 per year. 

“Even the temporary school took more pupils than this. Camden Council subsidises its small schools because they are more costly to run. I hope that it does not have to give an extra subsidy to this school, which will be completely outside its control.” 

“Free schools” – which can be set up by parents or other groups – are state funded but outwith government control. Their power to set admissions policy, staff pay and curriculum has led to concerns that they could be socially divisive.

St Luke’s Primary promises to offer a similar curriculum to Camden’s state schools and to allocate the majority of its places on the basis of geographical need, regardless of beliefs. But almost half of its places could still be allocated on the basis of faith.

Dr Liz Taylor, who led a campaign for more primary school places in the borough after her son was given a place two miles away, said: “One of the main issues in north Camden is the preponderance of faith schools. Anything that doesn’t make that situation worse is worth looking at, but the school is proposing to take 15 children in each year group, which is not going to solve the problem.” 

Lucy Anderson, chairwoman of Camden Campaign for State Education, added: “The ‘free school’ model is not democratically accountable or sustainable. I don’t see why the government can’t provide proper capital funding for primary school places where they are needed most.”

The church group – which says 50 families have already committed to taking up places – is expecting to hear in the coming weeks if the school will receive government backing.

A spokesperson for Camden Council, said: “We have already set up a review of primary places. We do not yet know what will be expected of free schools but are interested in hearing from anyone who is considering establishing one. The Council will need to consider the extent to which it will support specific applications on a case by case basis.”