Against all odds: Shropshire free school is now flourishing
Barrow 1618, near Broseley, is Shropshire's first, and so far only free school. Claire Dunn reports on a school which has survived against all the odds.
Hanging over the door of the headmaster's office is a sign that bears the words 'laughter and love'.
They are hugely significant to this school, because it is through love that it has survived against the odds and laughter can be heard within its classrooms.
Barrow 1618, was saved from closure by parents within the community who fought tooth and nail to retain the school which has been steadfast in the village for nearly 400 years.
It is now in its second school year – and it is starting to flourish, testament to the belief shown in it by the community it serves.
Yesterday, one of the UK's highest profile free schools, the Al-Madinah in Derby, was condemned by Ofsted as 'dysfunctional', sparking fresh concerns about whether the free school philosophy is sustainable.
Barrow, however, is at the opposite end of the spectrum. When it closed its doors as a local authority school, there were just 24 pupils on its roll. Now, as a school run independently of local authority control, there are 69, with even more on a growing waiting list.
The school itself is even physically growing. There is a new classroom and there will soon be a new hall and a kitchen facility.
At the helm is headteacher John Newton. A former deputy headteacher at an LEA-run school, he says moving to a free school means he is able to plan his own bespoke curriculum – a personal passion of his.
As a free school, it decides the curriculum and manages its own budget.
He said: "I had been working for the local authority of Telford and Wrekin since I began my career about a decade ago.
"I have always worked in maintained schools and I have thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed working for the local authority.
"For me, fundamentally, the decision to become headteacher of a free school wasn't politically motivated.
"For me it was the prospect of this school specifically and the opportunity to tailor the curriculum so it's completely bespoke and personal to the children.
"I have seen a shift where there is a one-size- fits-all approach to delivering the national curriculum,
"But we are in a rural community here. There is as much likelihood that our children will become farmers and tree surgeons as they will computer programmers and doctors and lawyers.
"There is a bias in the national curriculum to cities but we are able to say our children are part of a rural community here and we can prepare them for whatever walk of life they decide to go into. That was a big appeal for me.
"Curriculum development for me has always been a personal passion. To me that is the reason we are here."
The school itself lies on the fringe of the village and is nestled within acres of farmland.
"This school is special because of its location and its size," said Mr Newton.
It is also special, he says, because it has many unique qualities.
"The reason that it has grown so quickly is because what it offers is an alternative." And he remains resolute that the school will not run before it can walk.
"At the start of school's second year, the number of pupils are what were projected for year five which is why we have had to extend.
"But I feel quite strongly that what wouldn't be the right thing to do is add a multi-storey car park to the place and pack them in because that isn't the nature of the school.
"If we could really establish a school here that we, and the community, feel is outstandingly good for them, and we felt there was a capacity to increase somewhat, that is not beyond the realms.
"But that's not on the cards now. Now we are full we are wanting to make sure what we have and what we are doing is as good as it can be."
He says like any new school, it has faced many hurdles. "I think what is really key is that we have gone through the process of settling in and we are starting the year at capacity which for me as a headteacher is great. What that means now is that I can personally turn my focus to ensuring the standards are as high as I want them to be. That is something I won't compromise on.
"We are under no illusions that the school is not where we want it to be this time next year or the year after, but we are pleased we are on the journey together."
Mr Newton adds: "The school has genuinely been built on the hard work and the will and the heart of the people that are part of this community and that, quite honestly, courses through every bit of the school's work.
"Whether I am writing a policy or a celebration assembly or a Friends of Barrow event, all of that is done because we all want the school to succeed and we want the best for the children.
"That is not unique but it is right at the fore of this school and the sense of communication and dialogue. The open door policy here is one that I feel is unique compared to any of my past experiences."
