Hadlow College is bidding to launch a community free school. The renowned land-based college in Kent is hoping to open Hadlow Rural Community School in September next year for a maximum of 100 secondary-age pupils.
The next stage in the application process will see Hadlow’s proposals considered by the Department for Education on 9 May.
The proposed new school has already attracted interest from local parents keen for a school with a rural ethos.
Vice-principal Lynda Brown said: “I am delighted that we have progressed to the interview stage of the bidding process. I believe this is a great opportunity for a the Hadlow Rural Community School to engage 11-16 pupils in an innovative and exciting curriculum that will be different to anything that is currently on offer in the local area”.
The proposed school is part of the government’s free school initiative, which provides public funding and the benefit of semi-independency. Free Schools fall outside local authority control and are funded directly by central government in a similar way to academies.
The plans are for the new school to be built within the rural campus of Hadlow College, close to Tonbridge. It will be separate from the existing facilities and will be housed in its own purpose-built premises.
It is planned that pupil numbers will rise over the first two years to reach a maximum of around 100 by 2015. Hadlow aims to offer meet national curriculum requirements as well as offering significant time dedicated to project work, entrepreneurial activities, land-based and rural activities and skills, supported by new technologies.
