Here are some of the questions that parents have asked us. It's already quite a long list but I'm sure there are many more. I hope you find it useful. Please get in touch and tell us what we've forgotten to tell you! 

Question:  When will the school open and where will it be?

Answer:  The school could open as soon as September 2011. We’re investigating sites around Lewisham and the council has offered us support in finding a suitable building. The government has relaxed some change of use planning laws to allow a wider range of buildings to be used as schools. The Department for Education is even offering facilities on its own sites to prospective free schools. 

Question: Would I have to pay to send my child there?

Answer:  No.  A “free” school is fully funded by the government just as an ordinary state school would be. The difference is that they fall outside the control of the local authority. Schools will receive more funding for a poorer child, that is one eligible for free school meals, creating a strong incentive for free schools to be inclusive and diverse. Read more about free schools here.

Question:  What do parents know about running a school?

Answer: Not much! Parents won't run the day-to-day life of the school. Some parents would sit on a governing body and be known as "trustees." We would hire in the services of an educational provider giving careful consideration to the choice and taking expert advice.

Question:  Will it have the same admissions criteria as other schools in Lewisham?

Answer: All free schools must abide by the Schools admissions code. It will prioritise the admission of cared for children, those with special needs and siblings. The over-subscriptions policy remains to be decided. We expect there to be strong links with Montessori pre-schools, in particular those that have been approved by the stringent Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board. This will help build a solid foundation for the new and growing school and ensure that the philosophy is properly applied.

Question: What does Montessori really mean? 
Answer: Maria Montessori was one of the most important early years educators of the 20th century. She believed children learn best by doing. She designed special resources to encourage independence and a love of learning. Her ideas have had a profound influence on the education of young children all over the world. More about Montessori. The approach is holistic and nurturing and based on the principle that the years from birth to six are when children have the greatest capacity to learn. A Montessori classroom has high quality materials and offers children freedom to choose their activities. Very informative website which makes it all real.

Question:  The Montessori thing sounds a bit ‘hippy.’ Will my child achieve anything academically?

Answer:  Children educated by well-trained, passionate Montessori teachers learn to read and write, add up and subtract just like children in other schools. The approach of the teacher is different however. She directs children to opportunities to learn that are appropriate to their developmental stage. Each child is encouraged to learn through exploration, to reach its full potential as an individual. Learning should be fun but based on a solid plan. Freedom to choose doesn't mean never choosing maths! Very informative website which makes it all real.

Question:  Will my child be able to cope and settle in at mainstream secondary school?

Answer:  Montessori education builds children’s self-confidence and desire for learning which will help them handle change and challenges. In other countries, Montessori is much more widely used with successful results. And anyway, who says we won't be campaigning for a secondary Montessori in Lewisham by then? 

Question:  How many children will it take?

Answer: Somewhere between 140 and 252 we expect. A lot will depend on the kind of building we find and on how great the demand for places turns out to be. The first intake will likely be reception, year one and possibly year two so it would start small and grow to ensure quality. The government has said that free schools will get extra help in the early days as they grow and before they reach full financial efficiency. Children in Montessori classrooms work in mixed age groups. We expect to group the children according to the following ages: 5-6 years, 7-9 years and 9-11 years. Children have so much to learn from each other, older and younger.

Question:  What does the application process involve?

Answer: The campaign is working towards completing the ‘free’ school proposal in the next couple of months. The New Schools Network, a charity helping groups trying to set up schools, will review the draft and help us plug any gaps and fix any mistakes. Our proposal will then go to the Department for Education for approval. If successful, we move on to the business planning stage and the real challenge starts. Eight proposed schools have had the business stage approved. 

Question:  How can I help?

• Sign the petition  and get others to sign
• Spread the word with posters and cards supplied by Primrose House
• Raise funds, offer raffle prizes
• Sponsor the campaign through your business
• Write for the newsletter newsletter which is available here
• Help keep local forums up to date
• Liaise with local nurseries
• Write to your Member of Parliament, Councillors
• Help build our database of contacts by suggesting possible supporters and sponsors