Phoenix rake over ashes of failed bid

PHOENIX Free School said it has been rejected because it planned to employ non-qualified teachers.

The school was the idea of educational publisher Tom Burkard, a US Navy veteran, and Oldham-born Army captain Captain Affan Burki

A statement from Phoenix said: “Education secretary Michael Gove is fighting a difficult war against entrenched interests, but if the free school programme reflects the prejudices of bureaucrats rather than the wishes of parents, there isn’t a lot of point to it.

“Burki and Burkard were pleasantly surprised at the enthusiastic response everywhere they went. The response from Oldham Council officials was less than enthusiastic. Without their support, the Department of Education believes that Phoenix hasn’t demonstrated sufficient community support.

“Perhaps the strangest reason for rejection was that Burki and Burkard are reluctant to recruit experienced teachers. The designated head of studies is a former Tornado pilot who has been head of science at three independent schools.

“Nor does it matter that the senior ranks it has been recruiting have proved they can produce excellent results with young men and women who have been failed by conventional schooling.”

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