New free school for Wolverhampton
A new 'free school' with a 'Sikh faith ethos' is being created in Wolverhampton, the education secretary has revealed.
The secondary school in Blakenhall will cater for 840 pupils aged 11 to 19 and is one of 35 to have been approved by Tory minister Nicky Morgan.
The British Sikh School will open its doors in September 2015.
See also: Sandwell schools spent £5m on agency staff.
The Department for Education said it would be a 'faith ethos school' will be based on Sikh principles but be open to all children regardless of their faith.
Free schools are new state-funded schools but are independent of council control.
Wolverhampton has a free school for primary school pupils with a Sikh ethos. The Anand Primary School has been re-named Nishkam Primary School after a troubled first year, with fewer than 20 pupils. It now has a full complement of 30 reception class pupils.
And earlier this year another free school, the Wolverhampton Vocational Training Centre, was announced to cater for 50 pupils aged 16-19 who have special educational needs, or need specialist health and care needs.
See also: Wolverhampton schools set to be expanded in £15m scheme.
Mrs Morgan said: "Thanks to our plan for education more children in England have the opportunity to go to a good or outstanding school than ever before and free schools have been crucial to that change – with more than two thirds of free schools meeting this high standard.
"We are giving thousands more parents a choice of high-quality local schools that offer the excellent standard of education that all pupils deserve.
"I am pleased to see how free schools are collaborating and supporting other nearby schools– and now 35 more of them will help even more young people fulfil their potential."
