What is a Free School?

Free Schools are all inclusive and state-funded and set up in response to demand from local communities. They are the schools of the future. The most important element of a great education is the quality of teaching and learning and Free Schools will enable excellent teachers and school staff to work together to create new schools, offering greater choice to local communities and improve opportunities for all children.

 

Where will the school be located?

We are currently in talks with local councils, private landowners and third party agents in a bid to find the best possible location for the school.  Please do get in touch if you have any suggestions or knowledge of existing land or properties, in order that we may add it to our list of locations for consideration.

 

How will the school be funded?

Chichester Free School is an Independent School, funded by Central Government which means there would be no fees to pay.  It is our intention to work with the Local Authority and other external agencies to ensure the best quality education for your children.

 

What will be taught at Chichester Free School?

Chichester Free School will provide your child with the foundations for a successful and happy life.  With effective strategies in place to ensure your child’s individual progress, they will acquire and develop the essential knowledge, attitudes, values and personal skills that come from working within a flexible, broad and balanced curriculum.

The school intends for all its pupils to leave school with the confidence in knowing that they are excellent communicators in English as well as being conversant in at least one foreign language.  They will also be able to apply essential maths knowledge and skills to the relevant areas of their lives all with the expectation that they will continue to take responsible steps towards an aspiring future.

Children will be encouraged towards leadership, taking responsibility and making decisions. They will develop a life-long enthusiasm for learning and personal achievement.  Our pupils will be provided with the opportunities to acquire expertise in subject disciplines as well as developing their communication, critical thinking and leadership skills.

The school accommodation will consist of four distinct sections: the Pre-Prep and Prep Schools, The Main School and the Sixth Form and they will be exclusive, age appropriate learning environments for our pupils.  We are mindful of the wide ranging age groups within the school and all their differing needs, therefore the school building and play areas will be separated geographically and designed with safety in mind.  Finally, pupils of differing ages will be encouraged to work together from time to time for whole school events, eg. assemblies, theatre productions and charity fun days to reflect our school ethos and our flexible curriculum model.

Pre-Prep Department (Foundation Stage, Year 1 and Year 2)

The principles of the Foundation Stage curriculum will underpin work in the pre prep, where pupils will be nurtured and introduced to the world of learning in fun and exciting ways.

Prep Department (Years 3 to Year 6.)

On entering the Prep department, Literacy and Numeracy will be the curriculum focus within a broader range of subjects including Humanities, Science, a Modern Foreign Language, Art, Drama, Music and Physical Education, all of which will be embedded into the curriculum in an exciting, creative and stimulating way.

Senior Department (Years 7 to Year 11)

Pupils will be offered a range of subjects which will lead to the traditional study of GCSE’s and IGCSE’s.  Pupils will work towards achieving the English Baccalaureate at 16.

Sixth Form (Years 12 to 13)

In the Sixth Form, students will follow a curriculum leading to university or the next stage in their lives.

 

What provision will there be for pupils with special educational needs?

Chichester Free School will meet the educational needs of all its pupils, which will include high quality provision for children with different needs.  Chichester Free School will be a relatively small school because we want to know each child.   We will recruit an experienced and highly qualified SEN team who will work together with families and external support agencies to help identify a child’s current educational need to provide the essential teaching for every child who requires extra intervention, whether that is to support them or to stretch them, so that every child reaches their full potential.

 

When will the Free School open?

The opening date for Chichester Free School is planned for 2013.

 

How do I find out about Chichester Free School?

Please check our website which will be updated regularly with all the latest news. If you have any further queries, we would love to hear from you and we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. No question is too small or unimportant.

Please contact us using the information on the Contact Page.

 

How will pastoral care be organised?

There will be a strong pastoral structure where your child will be supported by their tutor and House staff.

This will provide:

• the opportunity to enjoy the sense of family, gained from belonging to a house including inter- house events and competitions
• the strong emphasis on pastoral care provided by house tutors and sixth form students, which will enable your child to develop a sense of responsibility and mutual respect for the wider community