Saracens looking to open a secondary school

[limecat]

http://www.barnet-today.co.uk/article.cfm?id=108636

RUGBY club Saracens is submitting an application to open a new free school in Colindale to tackle the shortage of secondary school places in Barnet.

The club has teamed up with the Ashmole Academy in Southgate to set up the school “to ensure that every pupil fulfils their potential academically and excels personally.”

It is handing in its application to the Department of Education in March and experts will quiz members of the Saracens High School Free School Trust about their plans later in the spring.

Trust members include the Saracens Sport Foundation, Middlesex University and the Orion and Goldbeaters Primary School Gold Star Federation.

A free school is funded by the government but independent of the council.

If the plans get the go-ahead the trust hopes to open the new school on a site near the Grahame Park estate in 2017 with an initial intake of 180 pupils.

The idea was developed by club chairman Nigel Wray and community director Gordon Banks came up with the idea.

Mr Wray said: “At the Saracens High School every child will count, their talents and abilities will be identified and nurtured in a school environment that values academic achievement, teamwork and the creation of joyful memories.”

Saracens community director Gordon Banks said: “We have been involved in education for a long time. We have seen the impact that a strong brand can have on supporting education.”

He added: “Probably the greatest gift you can give a young person is an outstanding education and we look forward to working in collaboration with other schools in the proximity to deliver this for our children.”

Although the trust has identified a suitable site in the Grahame Park area Mr Banks said it was too early to give full details.

He said it was unusual for a sports club to set up a school but Premiership football club Everton launched its free school last year.

Rugby will be on offer, along with other sports but Mr Banks said: “This is not a rugby school.”

He added: “Academic achievement is absolutely paramount.”

The trust is holding meetings with parents from potential feeder schools over the next few weeks.

[jimbobjoe]

The club has teamed up with the Ashmole Academy

Read that very differently first time around.

[Peg Leg]

The club has teamed up with the Ashmole Academy

Read that very differently first time around.

.... The Asshole Academy has teamed up with the Ashmole Academy?

[Peg Leg]

Do English schools operate under beneficial tax rules?

[simonokeeffe]

Do English schools operate under beneficial tax rules?

Keith Earls girlfriend was going to be the principal ££££££

[Dave Cahill]

Wheres the poop?

[FLIP]

I imagine this is to cut costs - all the youth players go to St Georges school in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and being a day and boarding school it costs.

[jezzer]

Michael Fingleton set to the the Business Studies Master.