First free school in Shropshire declared open
Shropshire's first free school will open its doors to pupils tomorrow. Barrow 1618 held an official opening day for the school yesterday but the first lessons will take place when the school term starts tomorrow.
The school, on the site of the old Barrow School whose closure was announced in 2010, has set its own curriculum with a strong focus on outdoor learning and after-school clubs as well as high quality teaching in English, maths and science.
The school, which is state-funded but independent of Shropshire Council, held a special reception at the opening day.
More than 100 parents, governors, teachers, villagers and friends looked on as children jumped through a paper banner to declare the school officially open.
Selina Graham, chair of the governors, said: "We have also been overwhelmed by the support from other schools, parents and people in the community, and excited by the many offers of help.
"The opportunities here are endless and now it is all about seizing them."
She said the school would not be there if it was not for the vision and thousands of hours of hard work put in by the proposer group over the past two years.
Head teacher Andrew Taylor likened the start of the new school to being at the base camp of a mountain.
He said: "As we stand and look around, above us is a beautiful, shining mountain which is ours to climb."
He said Barrow 1618 was for children from all backgrounds and faiths.
The school, which also houses the Little Acorns Montessori Nursery, was blessed during the reception by the new vicar of Barrow, Rev Sue Beverly.
Barrow 1618 is one of 55 new free schools opening across England at the start of the term, and will provide education for children aged four to 11.
Education Secretary Michael Gove has said he hoped the new schools would be as successful as the 24 existing schools.
The flagship government policy gives the schools more control over teaching and budgets as they are not controlled by local authorities.
By Jon Pritchard
