AdminMay 24, 2014: Work to transform a former hospital site into the city’s first Sikh free school is expected to begin next month. Sikh community members behind the project said funding for Falcons Primary, in Gipsy Lane, has been committed by the Department for Education and planning permission will go through shortly. Free schools are […]
May 24, 2014: Work to transform a former hospital site into the city’s first Sikh free school is expected to begin next month.
Sikh community members behind the project said funding for Falcons Primary, in Gipsy Lane, has been committed by the Department for Education and planning permission will go through shortly.
Free schools are set up by charities, parents or teachers and are outside local authority control, but paid for by the state.
The school is officially set to open in September. Recruitment is well underway, with two teaching posts still to be filled, along with some administration roles. Limited space is left in the reception class. Head teacher Stephen Snelson, former head at Farndon Fields Primary, in Market Harborough, will lead the school in a former hospital administration block in Northfields.
George Hine House next door will also be refurbished as part of the plans. The school will take up to 120 youngsters in reception and foundation stage in its first year, eventually growing to 420 places in total. Falcons Primary will follow the national curriculum, although free schools are not obliged to do so.
Although the school is based on the Sikh ethos, it is for children of all faiths – or none – and interest from all parents is welcome. Harminder Jagdev is among those behind the school. He said: “The funding agreement has been signed. We are the first school in this particular wave of free school applications to have that, which is very pleasing. “The back of the existing building in Gipsy Lane will eventually be demolished and rebuilt and some remodelling will take place inside.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing the finished results and to opening the school later this year. “We only have about 10 places left in reception for this September and year one is now full. “Obviously, the school will grow over subsequent years but we’re very pleased with the positive response we’ve had.
“It’s a very exciting time for us and I’m pleased to say it has progressed as we had hoped. “Any prospective parents who would like to find out more are more than welcome to get in touch with us to ask questions – we’ll be more than happy to answer them.
by Leicester Mercury | Fiona Dryden
Source: www.leicestermercury.co.uk
To find out more, go to: www.falconsprimary.org