Everton to become first club to open a free school

[ajt09]

Everton Football Club’s official charity has been successful in gaining Governmental approval to open a Free School in Liverpool. The Everton in the Community Free School will be Government funded and run by the Blues' charity - which boasts senior practitioners from the full range of educational provision - and will use the power of sport to engage pupils and their wider families with an alternative learning experience.

Everton Get Free School Go Ahead / News Archive / News / evertonfc.com - The Official Website of Everton Football Club

Surprised this hasn't been mentioned already tbh. Personally I think it's a great idea. It'll help kids in run down areas, (hopefully) put them back on the right track if they've strayed-plenty of positives. I think more clubs should try this idea, it can only benefit. Especially in poorer areas. Already seen comments elsewhere saying it's elitist, which is quite frankly farcical, as it's in a labour controlled district. And Labour hate elitists, or they wouldn't have backed the plan. And as the article states, it'll provide more choice too.

 

[*Paul*]

In theory it's a great idea, but physically (and practically) it may not work very well. It's pretty naive, in my opinion, to think that opening free schools will reduce crime and help children that much. So is this just the same as a normal academic school, or is it a specialist school or something?

 

[ajt09]

In theory it's a great idea, but physically (and practically) it may not work very well. It's pretty naive, in my opinion, to think that opening free schools will reduce crime and help children that much. So is this just the same as a normal academic school, or is it a specialist school or something?

Dr. Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Executive of Everton in the Community, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have been given the go ahead to open the Everton in the Community Free School.
“The Free School will provide a high quality and inspirational educational experience for the young people of Liverpool for whom school is not always the best place for them to learn. Everton in the Community will work in partnership with the local authority and local secondary schools to create learning and development opportunities for those young people who are most at risk of exclusion.
“With the full support of the Local Education Authority, we wish to engage students with a new innovative approach to educational provision backed by the brand and values of Everton Football Club, which are already firmly embedded within our community scheme."

 

[Joel`]

In theory it's a great idea, but physically (and practically) it may not work very well. It's pretty naive, in my opinion, to think that opening free schools will reduce crime and help children that much. So is this just the same as a normal academic school, or is it a specialist school or something?

I believe the theory is that giving parents or others the power to run their own schools, they'll be more careful and spend money better, raising standards.