A new academy school is due to open on the former Shirley School site in Chesterton, Cambridge, in September 2013.
Cambridgeshire County Council is in the process of seeking a sponsor to run the school. Their recommendation is due to be made on 10 January and approved by the Cabinet on 29 January.
Nationally, parents are required to make their school selection by 15 January. An extention has been granted in the the case of the new school in Chesterton allowing parents to apply by 31 January.
However, if the school's sponsor is not going to be confirmed until 29 January, on what basis can parents select the new school? Who, realistically, is going to choose to send their child to a "dummy school" they know nothing about?
Parents need an opportunity to view the school before it opens and to be able to question the sponsor directly about its plans for the school.
We, the undersigned, want a school open day to be held in advance of the application deadline to give parents the opportunity to:
- view the premises
- speak to the sponsor
- make an informed choice