Sign Up for a New Primary School

Floreat Education seek parents' support

What is school for? If you agree with Floreat that it’s as much about developing pupils’ characters as it is about delivering academic excellence then you will be interested in Floreat Education’s plans for a new primary school in Brentford.

Floreat is a charity that has been approved to run schools by the Department for Education. The aim is to create a small family of schools in London that aim to develop children’s character strengths and virtues as well as delivering an outstanding, knowledge-rich curriculum. This ‘character plus knowledge approach’ is how the best schools in the state and independent sectors set children up for success and wellbeing in life, whatever they choose to do.

James O'Shaughnessy, Managing Director of Floreat said "At the Brentford Free School we'll be using our extra freedoms to do three things. First, we'll offer proper subject-based lessons - like History, Geography and Science - from Reception onwards. Second, we will make sure that every moment of the school day, from behaviour in class to lunchtimes to extra-curricular activities, is used to emphasise the development of children's character strengths. And, finally, we intend to employ more teachers and fewer classroom assistants so children get more classroom time with qualified teachers".

As local families know, there is acute pressure on school places around Brentford. The number of young children in the area is growing fast, and with more development going on all the time the school places crisis will only get worse. The need for more good school places has come over loud and clear while we’ve been out speaking to parents locally. There is a gap in provision between Busch Corner to the West and Ealing Road to the East and this is where Floreat are focusing efforts in finding a site.

The new school will open in September 2015 with its first Reception classes, admitting 60 children each year. It will be a community, non-faith school and we welcome all parents to apply. Nursery provision may be included on site, if that is what parents want.

In order to get the school funded by the Government strong demand from local parents must be demonstrated. Parents can visit the website www.floreat.org.uk/brentford to find out more about Floreat and their plans, or contact info@floreat.org.uk.

Without community support the school cannot be opened so if you would consider sending their child to this new school go to the ‘Sign Up’ page and register your interest. Without community support the school cannot be opened.

February 28, 2014