Is the face of britain’s private schools about to change..?

PLANS FOR ‘CUT-PRICE’ PUBLIC SCHOOL SPARKS QUALITY ROW

We are happy to hear concerns and criticisms...if it’s a success, it’s because parents want it Chris Gray

THINK about a private school and chances are you’re likely to imagine top hats, boaters, and jolly boating weather.

But plans hatched in the North East may be about to change all of that.

The Independent Grammar School is currently seeking permission from the Department for Education to begin accepting pupils in Durham.

And it is billed as a budget alternative to pricey private education.

With fees of £52 a week, which add up to £2,700 a year, those behind it insist it is an affordable alternative to prohibitively expensibve private schools.

But the Durham branch of the National Union of Teachers has accused founders of “experimenting with children’s futures” at the school which, if allowed, will be based in the refurbished Christchurch building, on Claypath, Durham. On average, it costs the state £6,300 a year to educate a secondary school student and £4,900 for every primary school student, according to figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Joe Bann, secretary of Durham NUT, questioned whether the school would be able to offer a decent standard of education for so much less money. He said: “It is totally unrealistic to think that a good standard of education could be provided for £52 per child per week and we believe this school would struggle to allow access for children to laboratories, workshops or even decent sports facilities. “Privatisation in schools worldwide has led to the disregarding of legal and educational standards in those countries where it has happened. “A privatised school is not wanted, nor is it beneficial for the children of Durham. It is one big social experiment with our children.” But the school’s future Principal, Chris Gray, who founded Gridon Hall Christian School, in Sunderland, before resigning over fears a new academy sponsor could alter its “Christian ethos”, argued the proof of the

concept would be in the school’s success.

Mr Gray insisted the school would be able to employ sufficiently qualified teachers and offer the necessary resources, and highlighted the levels of experience among the founders.

He said: “We are happy to hear concerns and criticisms from other groups - there’s no public money, if it’s successful it will be because parents want it. If no one wants this, it will fold very quickly.

“Our staff will undoubtedly be members of the teaching unions and we would welcome that. We believe there is room for all kinds of schools.

“At the moment I’m really keen to talk to people and see if we can get a bit nearer to understanding each other.”

NUT members suggested the school’s fully profitmaking status was a “dangerous development” — most private schools operate as charities, and are therefore supposed to be able to demonstrate that some of their operation is for the public benefit.

But Mr Gary said he though the fact that his school would not act as a charity was a good thing, and questioned whether private schools should be given charitable status.

If IGS is a success, founders say they hope to create a chain of similar schools across the country.