Free school gets go-ahead

Tom Burkard

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Military-style Phoenix to rise from Breeze Hill?
A CONTROVERSIAL school where pupils will be taught by former military personnel has been given the go-ahead.

Phoenix is one of 102 free schools approved by Education Secretary Michael Gove today. It wants to open in the former Breeze Hill School buildings at Salem in September 2014.

The proposals were originally turned down last July in favour of the “faith sensitive” free school Collective Spirit, which opens in September.

Phoenix is the idea of education publisher Tom Burkard and Oldham-educated Army officer Capt Affan Burki.

Mr Burkard said: “We are obviously ecstatic — after two years in the planning we are finally there.

“In 2010/11 only one per cent of central Oldham pupils achieved the EBacc, the minimum to go to university. Compared with the national average of 30 per cent, that is pathetic.

“The response we have had in the community and nationally is phenomenal. I have had 28 enquiries from TV production companies to produce a documentary.”

The BBC news shows Panorama is to make a programme about the school.

Free schools are outside local authority control but state-funded and non-selective. They are run by parents, teachers, charities and other organisations.

The 102 free schools expected to open in 2014 will join 81 current free schools and 109 due to open from September, which will in total have 130,000 places.

Phoenix will now have to find a site — but the Government can ultimately force councils to hand over land and buildings.

Mr Burkard said Phoenix was looking at other sites in Oldham and Rochdale, includingthe latter’s Hill Top School, used as the set for BBC drama Waterloo Road.

Phoenix will open with 120 year seven pupils and eventually have 780 pupils, including a sixth form.

They will study English, maths, science, history, a language, RE, PE and music.