12:30pm Wednesday 8th September 2010
By Alex Hayes
A NEW Jewish free school will open next September, although it may be another year before it has a permanent home.
On Monday Education Secretary Michael Gove gave permission for a new school to be opened in Mill Hill, one of only 16 such projects in the country.
Adam Dawson, the chairman of the foundation committee, said work only started on the plans four months ago, in the week after the general election.
He told the Times Series: “We're very pleased. We're not quite sure what it all means in the fine print yet. We're excited and hope it's going to be something very good for the area.
“We will definitely be open by next September, even if it is in temporary classrooms before we move to a permanent site.”
The idea for the Mill Hill Jewish Primary School emerged after it was revealed Barnet Council needs to find around 300 extra primary school entry places next September, the equivalent of ten forms.
Father-of-two Mr Dawson and his wife, a secondary school teacher, approached friends with the idea for a new Jewish school.
He said: “Demand for a Jewish faith school is extremely high. The only other in the Mill Hill area received 130 applications for 26 places this year.
“We went to the council and they said they liked the idea of a free school promoted by the community. It fits in well with the idea of Big Society and everyone helping out.”
The 32-year-old barrister said they were in negotiations over a site, but could not reveal where it was at this stage. He added he hoped to have it signed over by Christmas.
Initially the school will cater for one form of entry, although Mr Dawson said there could be scope for expansion if it proves popular in later years.
However, it is still unclear exactly how cash will be allocated to set up the school.
He added: “At the moment we're not sure how funding will be given, whether its per child entering the school or a block grant. These details have to be ironed out before we start signing contracts.”
It is also unclear whether the school will be able to select all its intake based on religion, after Mr Gove said in July only 50 per cent would be allowed to be selected in this way.
Mr Dawson said: “We built a business case on the basis of the needs of the Jewish community. We fully accept there maybe other needs in other communities. We built our case on the basis of it being a Jewish faith school.
“What we have said is this will be a Jewish faith school run along orthodox Jewish lines. Anybody who subscribes to that can apply.
“We're still waiting on an official response from the government, it depends what government policy ends up being.
“It's interesting as in his official statement to Parliament Mr Gove described us as a faith school.”
The announcement has also been welcomed by Hendon MP Matthew Offord, who worked with the group to get the application through. He said: “The proposal has been driven by demand from local people for improved choice for their children and I am delighted that such an enthusiastic proposal has come forward at such an early stage.
“I attended a meeting of parents on Sunday night in the very same hall in which I announced the policy idea during the election hustings to discuss the plan.
“The Coalition Government has started to deliver on behalf of the people of our constituency.”
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