Where is The Elmgreen School?
The Elmgreen School is the first parent-promoted school in Britain. It opened in 2007 in West Norwood, South London as a result of a partnership between the London Borough of Lambeth and the Parent Promoters’ Foundation (“PPF”) a charity created for/by local parents/carers.
What sort of school is The Elmgreen School?
The school is a fully inclusive and non-selective secondary school which admits 180 students per year. It currently has years 7, 8 and9 on roll. When it reaches full capacity in 2013 there will be 1100 students – 900 aged 11-16 and 200 in the sixth form. http://www.the-elmgreen-school.org.uk/welcome.
The Elmgreen School is a local authority voluntary – controlled school with the PPF as its Foundation. It is not an Academy. Everyone involved is committed to providing an excellent education for all local children.
Did parents set up a school on their own?
The school was not “set up by parents” alone. The legal permission to establish the school was given to the PPF and Lambeth working in partnership. In the early stages the PPF were heavily involved in securing the site, campaigning for the funding, carrying out the public consultations, making the case for a new school to the School’s Organisation Committee and establishing the initial governing body. As time went on the detailed work in setting up the school was done by the education professionals. The staff – and particularly the Headteacher – worked to create the functioning school.
What is the role of the Parent Promoters Foundation?
The PPF is the Foundation of the school – in the same position as the Church in relation to a Faith school. As the Foundation Body, the PPF’s key role is to protect and promote the ethos of the school. The agreed ethos is fully shared by the Governing body and staff team:
“We will create an innovative place of learning that promotes high academic and vocational attainment and achievement.
We will achieve this by fostering a friendly co-operative spirit in which all individuals value each other and are helped to achieve their potential...
... and by placing the school at the heart of the community.”
The PPF also holds the land and buildings in trust.
What have OFSTED said about the school?
In 2008 OFSTED reported that the school is “Good with outstanding features” following its first inspection. Click here for the OFSTED report.
Do parents really run the school?
Parents do not run the school - the school is run by the Headteacher and the staff. The strategic direction of the school is set and monitored by the school’s governing body. (The make-up of the 20-strong governing body reflects the PPF’s role as the school’s Foundation. There are 7 parent governors and the PPF also appoints 5 Foundation governors - all of whom must be local parents/ carers but whose children do not have to attend the school.)
Does the school take students away from other local schools?
The school was not established to compete with local schools – it was set up to provide more secondary school places in an area where there was a real shortage of places. It is part of the local family of Lambeth schools and collaborates with other schools in many different ways – staff training, curriculum delivery, enrichment activities etc. Children are admitted according to the Lambeth Admission Criteria of looked-after children, children with documented medical/social need, siblings and distance from the school.
Was the school created just to give PPF members schools places?
Parents gained no advantage in being involved in the creation of the school. Places are allocated to the children who live closest. One of the PPF directors who had been involved from the start failed to get a place for her child as she lived slightly too far away.
How can parents be involved in their child’s education?
The Elmgreen School is a good example of community involvement. The school works hard to enable parents to engage in their child’s learning. Parents are also welcomed to support the school by contributing their skills to work-related learning, curricular activities, social events and fund-raising. Parents do not have to start up a new school to improve their child’s education. A parent can best support their child’s education by getting involved at home. Existing schools also welcome parents’ support and involvement by taking an active interest in their child’s learning and by getting involved with parent councils, serving as governors, contributing skills, supporting their PTA etc
Are there any examples of other parent promoted schools?
Other parent-promoted schools.
Bolnore Primary School in West Sussex. Click for school site.
The Jewish Community Secondary School - a new secondary school opening this September. Click for school site.
Forge Valley Community School - a new secondary school opening in Sheffield next September. Click for school site.