Meeting raises more primary free school hope (From Thurrock Gazette)

Meeting raises more primary free school hope

7:40am Thursday 25th October 2012 in News

A NEW primary free school could open in Chafford Hundred by 2014.

The trust behind Chafford’s Harris Academy, the borough’s most successful secondary school, has agreed to sponsor an application for a new primary school.

Chafford has struggled with a shortage of school places for a number of years now, and the Gazette reported in May how 23 children there had been unable to get a place at any of its three primary schools.

Conservative MP for Thurrock, Jackie Doyle-Price, held a meeting last week with Sir Daniel Moynihan and Chris Randall, of the Harris Academy Trust, about the new proposals, which more than 60 people attended.

Jackie said: “We have between now and Christmas to find enough parents who will commit to sending their children to the new school when it opens in 2014.

“As well as a reception class, it is intended to open a class for Years 1 and 2 so parents who have been unable to send their children to Chafford schools this year can take advantage of the new school.”

She added: “I am delighted Harris has grasped the nettle and is sponsoring the application.

“Harris is the best education provider in the country and we are fortunate to have it here in Thurrock.

“Chafford children deserve the best the best we can give them.

“The need for more school places has been an issue for a number of years. If we can pull together a successful bid we can address the problem.

“It was good to see so many parents turn out on a dark October evening – it illustrates how important this issue is.

“If anyone would like to put their names down for the new school, contact Chris Randall at Harris, or myself.”