We are working with parents in the London Borough of Lambeth to open an autism-specific Free School for children and young people aged 11-19 in Lambeth and neighbouring boroughs.
Our online survey for the initial part of the application process has now officially closed. The results will be sent the to the Department for Education for consideration.
Since we are in the early stages of our application, we are still keen to hear your thoughts about the school and will take your feedback into account. Any additional completed surveys could also be used to support our application at a later stage.
It is not too late to submit your feedback - we encourage you to share your thoughts with us by filling out our survey at any time.
Creating Vanguard Free School
The National Autistic Society (NAS) is processing an application to open an autism-specific Free School based in the Lambeth borough to open in September 2014. You can read more about the aims and ambitions of the school.
A number parents in the Lambeth Borough have been calling for, and developing detailed plans to support, the founding of such a school since early February 2012. Lambeth London Borough Council has also given a very positive response for the founding of the school.
We now want your help in helping us to establish whether or not there is a demand in Lambeth and neighbouring boroughs amongst parents of children with autism spectrum disorders for an autism-specific Free School in Lambeth.
Please complete our survey so we can establish whether there is a need for an autism-specific free school in Lambeth.
How can I find out more?
If you would like to ask some questions about the proposed school or register your interest please complete this online form.
Who is this school for?
The proposed school will be a day school for children across the autism spectrum aged 11-19 years for who find it difficult to maintain a mainstream placement and for whom placement in a special school for those with learning difficulties would not be appropriate. Children from Lambeth and neighbouring boroughs are welcome to apply.
What is a free school?
Free Schools are state-funded schools set up in response to the needs of local people in order to improve education for children in their community. “Through the Free Schools programme it is now much easier for talented and committed teachers, charities, parents and education experts to open schools to address real demand within an area. (Department for Education 2011). You can read more about free schools on the website of the Department for Education.