Application For Three New Schools To Meet Local Needs
West Herts Community Free Schools Trust is making an application to the Department for Education to run three new free schools in West Herts. The Trust, which the University of Hertfordshire is part of, aims to open the new schools in September 2014 to meet the rising demand for reception places in the local area.
Responding to the local community
The intention is to open one school in the old Jupiter Drive school site in Hemel Hempstead, and two in Watford, near the college and on the new Ascot Road development. The schools will respond to what local people say they want and need, and will form part of the local community of schools. Subject to approval they will be funded directly by the government.
Gill Jones from Hertfordshire County Council is the lead proposer - a role she also played for Hatfield Community Free School which opened successfully in September 2012 with a waiting list and will act as a sister school to the three proposed schools in West Herts.
She said: “It has been a great pleasure to meet with local people and to see how many parents are supporting what we want to do to provide their children with a first class education.”
West Herts Community Free Schools Trust
The Trust is made up from educational professionals, parents and representatives from the University of Hertfordshire, West Herts College, Hertfordshire County Council, Hammond Academy, Francis Combe Academy and Squirrels Day Nurseries. It aims to improve the current and future lives of local children and families and to be amongst the highest performing schools both nationally and in Hertfordshire.
The Trust has been overwhelmed by the amount of parental support there has been. This support was gathered by attending community events, talking to community groups and holding promotional events in the local town centres.
The application process
Applications must be with the Department for Education by 4 January 2013 after which there will be formal interviews prior to the announcement of successful free schools in May 2013. For more information on the application visit the West Herts Community Free Schools website.