These are comments posted on our survey… thanks very much and keep them coming, we’d love to hear your views – either way!
“I have taught for a number of years in a mixed non-religious school and I know the benefits. The Chichester area/West Sussex does not have a mixed secondary school without strong connections funding to the Church. It is about time that it did.I do not have any children, but if I did then I would want them to attend a free school”
“Unless you go to church you have no choice for secondary schools in the town of chichester”
“In my opinion, standards in school have slipped since the ‘grammar school’ days. I would like to see more schools, which challenge children individually, and reward success accordingly”
“It would provide a much-needed community school in Chichester for both girls and boys. At present there is only Bishops Luffa which has a religious requirement. Otherwise the only secondary education available is in single sex schools at Chichester High School for Girls and Chichester High School for Boys. Moreover, both these schools are OFSTED 3 while Bishops Luffa is OFSTED 1. There is a clear need for secondary education of a high standard available to those families who prioritise community and social over religious values”
“My child is currently quite shy, and I have been worried about sending him to a big school like Central, where he could easily get ‘lost’”
“The alternative in the catchment area are falling well below national average achievement at GCSE level”
“I wish for a creative, positive & passionate learning environment for my son. To be sure he achieves to the best of his ability & developes into a confident, well rounded boy, with a solid foundation to progress from”
“Since starting secondary school, my daughter has not been happy and things were so bad for her that she wanted to leave school completely, due to the detrimental effect it was having on her well being . Things had reached a point where I seriously considered removing her from the school environment and home tutoring her. Negative events that have occurred the over the years have left my both of my children feeling let down by education system within the high schools that they currently attend. However, I believe that none of the other local schools are any better than my children’s current schools. Although my son does not have long left in school my daughter has and I know that she would want to apply to attend the proposed ‘Chichester Free School’”
“to offer a wider choice of secondary education to those who don’t have faith or want single sex schools”
“Would be only Chichester school to offer a non religious mixed education (which should be standard offering!!)”
“The school offers an appealing alternative to the existing state schools in the area. The drive and vision of the founders, as presented in the website, indicates that the school will deliver a positive learning environment for all students. This in turn will enable each young person to reach their optimum potential. I want that for my children”
“Both my children are deemed ‘more able’ , both are very advanced in maths/literacy/science/ and I know that despite best efforts most of their existing schooling caters for ‘average’ child (especially yr 6 at primary / year 7 at daughters first year at secondary ) and does not stimulate/ challenge my children to reach their full potential”
“There has been a steady and disappointing decline in the standards of academic acheivement in local state secondary schools. West Sussex deserves much better”
“I’m looking for a good quality secular co-educational environment for my three children thay will nurture and encourage their education, focus and independance”
“I think this would be fantastistic for chichester and is greatly needed”
“an ecologically responsible ethos is important for us and non existent in mainstream school. we also want an environment where children are taught that respecting others and themselves is of prime importance”