Aldous encourages responses to free schools consultation
20th January 2012
Waveney MP Peter Aldous is encouraging local people to respond to a consultation on the proposed Beccles Free School.
On 10 October 2011, the Secretary of State for Education decided that the application made by the Seckford Foundation Beccles Free School Trust to establish an Academy, or “Free School”, in Beccles should proceed to the next stage of the Free School process.
A consultation is now taking place that will play an important role in deciding whether the school should go ahead. It provides details about the nature of the proposed School and invites responses as to whether it should be set up.
Whilst it is recognised that a Free School in Beccles would offer parents and pupils choice in educational provision, local people have expressed concerns about the need for another school in the area and the impact on the existing Sir John Leman High School.
Mr Aldous said:
“I encourage as many people as possible to provide evidence based responses to the consultation on the proposed Beccles Free School. There are differing views on the proposed school but ultimately this should be about the needs of local people and their children and whether there is sufficient demand for a free school in the area.
I will also welcome any evidence based correspondence either in support of against the proposed school, sent directly to me, which I will consider before passing onto the Minister for his consideration ahead of a final decision.”
