Start your own
Some parents who are dissatisfied with existing schools in their area have campaigned for a new one or even set up their own.
Why? They may feel that their local schools aren't performing well enough or that they don't suit their children. Sometimes the journey to school may be too far, or when the time comes for the move to secondary school there isn't one in their neighbourhood.
The Charter School
Parents in south London successfully campaigned for a new school on the site of a previously failing boys school. The Charter School was the result. It is non-selective, co-educational and aims to serve its local area – most of the children live within easy walking distance.
The Nelson Mandela School Foundation
Brixton parents are campaigning for a state-of-the-art secondary school in a London borough where there is no local school for 70% of 11 year-olds. Backed by local MPs and singer Jerry Dammers (who wrote 'Free Nelson Mandela') and with the blessing of Mr Mandela himself, the Nelson Mandela School Foundation is working hard to ensure that the new school will open in September 2007.
Inspired? Want to have a go at campaigning for a new state school? Find out more at CASE.
Nick Hornby, author and ex-teacher, was a founder parent of Tree House school, north London, with other parents of autistic children who decided to create and run their own school
Enlarge image PA/EMPICS
