Pupils appeal to Prime Minster to save their school

jpco-18-12-13 Discovery New School (Pic by Jon Rigby)

Last week the Department for Education withdrew its funding from the school because it has failed to improve since going into special measure in May.

Under-secretary of State for Schools John Nash has said it has to closed on April 4 next year.

However, Crawley’s MP Henry Smith is contesting the decision with parents and has organised a visit to Downing Street and Parliament today.

He is also calling on a review of the free school system.

Mr Smith said: “I am not the Government. The Education Secretary and Lord Nash, the Education Minister made the decision.

“Free schools promote great choice for parents. Regrettably you do get schools that fail in all sections of the education system, even in the independent sector you get it.

“In the grant maintained or state sector school set-up there would have been intervention and assistance. I understand the concept of free schools but we need to think about the children.”

Children have written letters appealing to the Government to reconsider its decision. Four of them will be taken to Number 10 to hand them to the Prime Minister, David Cameron.