Sophy Lamond and Camilla Buxton,Elmbridge, Surrey, UK – are one step closer to setting up their their school, Temple’s Free School. Bohr women have children on the autistic spectrum.
They have been accepted on the New Schools Network development programme. This helps people set up Department for Education-funded free schools that are independent of local education authorities.
Both parents send their children to school out of the borough as the local mainstream school is not equipped to meet their needs.
They want to see a new school set up in the borough specifically for children with high functioning autism,aged up to 16. The aim is for these children to follow the National Curriculum and to take GSCE’s.
Mrs Lamond said
“Surrey has a lot of special schools but they care for other disabilities, which is why this is a much-needed provision.”
They now have a designated advisor to help with their application for running a free school. They have also met with Surrey County Council and have been backed by Runnymede and Weybridge MP Philip Hammond.
Mrs Lamond said:
“The idea behind it is there is a lack of provision for these children, specifically those with high functioning autism.”
She further adds:
“Creating a school for these children in the area means they can enjoy themselves and have a peer group, the same as other children.”
Mrs Buxton added:
“We want to have this school within Elmbridge to reduce the need for children to have to travel out of the area. My child has to travel 30 to 40 minutes to school.
“The special school is great but I want her to be able to achieve GCSEs but they don’t offer that.”
Both parents are looking to acquire a site in the Elmbridge area with room for around 80 children.
The original article on the get Surrey website can be read here