What is a "free school"?
The Government's 'free school' initiative enables interested groups to create new schools funded directly by central Government, bypassing local authority involvement, as long as they have sufficient community support. A free school is still a state school and subject to stringent quality control measures including OFSTED inspections.
When will Beccles Free School open?
Our intention is to open the school in September 2012. Initial plans would be to start with provision for school Year groups 7, 8 and 9. At the end of the school year, the oldest year group will move up (i.e. Year 9 would become Year 10) and we will admit another group of children in Year 7 until we eventually have a full quota of 5 year groups.
My friend has had an offer letter from Beccles Free School, why haven't I?
Although you may have completed an Expression of Interest form for your child, you may not have ticked the box giving Suffolk County Council permission to share your contact details with us. This means we are unaware of your interest in a place for your child/children. Please complete another Expression of Interest form (one can be downloaded from this website or call 01394 615186 and one can be sent to you) and return it to: The Seckford Foundation, Burkitt Road, Woodbridge, IP12 4JJ. Your interest can then be logged and a conditional offer letter sent to you.
Why are the offer letters conditional?
As Beccles Free School has not yet received the final approval from the Secretary of State we are unable to made unconditional offers. We are hopeful that approval will be granted very soon and when this happens, a further letter will be sent to you.
My child has been offered a place at another senior school but I want them to attend Beccles Free School; what should I do?
At the moment please do not do anything - unless you need to register for a place at Beccles Free School (please see details above on how to do this). If Beccles Free School is given the final approval, we will write to you again with an unconditional offer for your child/children together with instructions on how to decline the place that has been offered at the other senior school.
Am I able to move my child from his/her current senior school, even if it is during the school year?
Yes, as long as there are places available, you have the choice to send your child to whichever school you choose. The first step is to contact the admissions team at Suffolk County Council, who will notify your child's current school, and Beccles Free School, of your intentions.
My child is due to start senior school in September 2013; how do I apply for a place at Beccles Free School?
Once Beccles Free School is open parents will be able to select it as their first choice on the CAF1 form sent to them by Suffolk County Council during the autumn term.
Will my child be entitled to free transport?
Suffolk County Council’s recently published plans for school bus provision in our area have raised concerns across the school community. Our worries are that the plans may limit the choice of school for local families, whether attending Free Schools or other maintained schools.
We are in the process of preparing a formal response to the proposals. We highly recommend that you take a few moments to have your say. You’ll find Suffolk County Council’s online survey by going to http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/your-council/decision-making/consultations/home-to-school-consultation/ and following the link at the bottom of the page.
What will the uniform be and where can I buy it from?
All pupils will be expected to wear school uniform and maintain high standards of personal presentation at all times. A full uniform list will be sent to all parents towards the end of the summer term, together with a list of stockists.
My child has particular learning needs; how will he/she be supported?
A specialist SEN team will liaise with you, your child and his/her current school before they arrive at Beccles Free School. In this way we hope to make the transistion between your child's current school and Beccles Free School as smooth and trouble free as possible. Support will depend on the needs of individual pupils and could range from one-to-one support to small group work in, or outside, the classroom
How long is the school day?
There is a breakfast club from 8.00 am but school will start at 8.40 am. There are five one-hour sessions, followed by an enrichment period during which pupils will have tutor time, games, ICT or the opportunity to study an additional language or separate science.
Twice a week, from 4.35 pm to 5.35 pm, pupils will be encouraged (but not made) to take part in extra-curricular activities such as sport, music, drama, art or young engineers. Lunch will be available at school.
Will the teachers be qualified?
All teachers will have QTS (qualified teacher status) or equivalent on appointment or achieve QTS in service within their first two years.
What is the advantage of the Free School over other state schools in the area?
Firstly it will be its size. At its biggest, the Free School will have five year groups each of just over 100 pupils, which will ensure that nearly every teacher knows nearly every pupil. We will also give the opportunity for Year 10 and 11 pupils to fulfil leadership roles with juniors.
Secondly, the curriculum will concentrate on subjects that we believe are crucial for the next stage of education. We will give more time than usual to maths and English, and there will be the opportunity to study science, French, and Spanish alongside other subjects. There will be no vocational qualifications available.
How will my child be cared for?
Firstly, in partnership with parents. We will wish for clear and open channels of communication which will help share information from School to parent and from parent to School. Parents will be informed at the start of every year of the names of contact details of teachers who have direct responsibility for the pastoral care of their children at the School.
Year 7 students will be under the care of a specialist Head of Year 7 who will be appointed to liaise with local feeder primary schools and parents. Year 8 and 9 will be in eight tutor groups, under a Head of Lower School and similarly, in Year 10 and 11 there will be a Head of Upper School in charge of another eight tutor groups. Tutor groups will help break down year group segregation and help the student body to cohere.
Will it be just like Woodbridge School but free?
No. Woodbridge School is one of the premier schools in the East of England and gains exceptional academic results as well as reaching a national standard in music, drama, sport and other activity. Woodbridge is highly selective.
The Free School will try and use some of Woodbridge School's approaches to pastoral care, and like Woodbridge will give importance to extra-curricular activity (things done outside class). The Head of Woodbridge School will be a Governor as will the Director of the Seckford Foundation.
Will Beccles Free School have parent governors?
Yes, like any school in the state system, Beccles Free School's governing body will include parents, staff and other members of the community.
Because Beccles Free School will be a Seckford Foundation School, the governing body will be chaired by, and will contain representatives from, The Seckford Foundation.
Is there a financial advantage or disadvantage to the school becoming a Free School?
A Free School recevies its funding directly from the Government and consequently the budget would not be 'top sliced'. Presently, approximately 10% of all maintained school budgets are retained by the Local Authority to enable them to provide a range of central services.
A Free School receives all of this funding and can determine for itself how best to spend it, but should remember that they will need to pay someone to provide the services which they used to receive from their Local Authority. This would result in more money for Beccles Free School, at a time when budgets are likely to be severely challenged.
Control of the whole budget gives the School more choice.
Will the Local Authority have to pay for the Free School?
No; Central Government will provide extra funds to help the School and the Trust set up to run the School. The Government also pays for a project manager. The amount of money provided by the Government varies from project to project and has already been pledged under contract. The outcome of the consultation will not alter the fact that the money has already been spent.