Free school looks for advisers

OLDHAM’S first free school is advertising for specialist advisers to help set it up.

Collective Spirit — which bills itself as a “faith sensitive” secondary — was given the the go-ahead in July to open in September, 2013.

It is now looking for specialist advisers in educational leadership, curriculum development, ICT and communication and marketing.

Free schools are state-funded and run by a range of organisations with greater freedoms than other schools.

Collective Spirit was among 103 approved last month and will be non-denominational, with pupils learning about different religions.

The team behind it includes Raja Miah, awarded the MBE for his work following the Oldham riots, and former Breeze Hill head teacher Bernard Philips.

It will start with 50 Year 7 pupils and eventually have a maximum of 250 pupils in years 7 to 11.

The Government’s Department for Education will purchase a building and has drawn up a list of options, which have not been revealed.


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