How To Set Up a Free School

by Toby Young

In September 2011, one of the most radical and controversial education reforms in the UK became a reality when twenty-four Free Schools - funded by the tax-payer but shaped and run by parents, teachers, charities or even businesses, independently of Local Authority control - opened their gates to students across the country. They are the centrepiece of the coalition government's argument for a 'Big Society' and have provided a key battleground between ideologues on all sides. The crusade on their behalf in the face of fierce opposition has been led by the outspoken journalist Toby Young, whose West London Free School was the first of them all.

In this witty, pithy and practical guide, Young explains step-by-step how he gathered support and saw his vision through, from securing premises, teachers and students to forming a curriculum and fighting off the criticisms and obstacles he faced at every turn. At once an argument and a how-to guide, this timely Penguin Short is the essential manifesto for the Free Schools pioneers and a must-read for supporters and detractors alike.

75 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2011

About the author

Toby Daniel Moorsom Young (born 1963) is a British journalist and the author of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, the tale of his failed five-year attempt to make it in the U.S. as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair magazine, as well as The Sound of No Hands Clapping, a follow-up about his failure to make it as a Hollywood screenwriter. His obnoxious wit has earned him almost as many enemies as admirers and the title of "England's heterosexual Truman Capote". As the son of a baron, he is entitled to use the title the Honourable, but declines to style himself as such.

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toby Young is of course a bit of a silly man. Don't take my word for it - read "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People". He rightly points out in this though, that he's never had quite so much hate as when he tried to do some community organising and do something worthwhile in his local area, and that probably tells us a lot about the state of people's approach to politics: people who just moan about how rubbish everything is seem to think they can feel superior to people who actually get involved and do what they (rightly or wrongly) think is important.

I mainly read this because I used to work for Ealing Council and know some of the people mentioned, and because it just sounded like an interesting and illuminating story. I'm not going to pretend to have a lot of knowledge about the pros and cons of Free Schools, but obviously there will be a lot of people who disagree with their very existence. Fair enough - they won't be reading this book then, but if you are planning to start one, then it's hard to think of a better or more easily digestible introduction to the subject. I think my only objection is that TY underestimates the difficulty of forming a group of interested and skilled helpers. Yes of course he tells us he found it easy to attract surveyors, former heads, etc., but he lives in a relatively well off bit of West London and has lots of contacts plus a very broad channel to an audience via the media. I doubt a care worker from one of the less fashionable boroughs would find it as easy.
Well, that's a gripe but in a way, life's like that and I would hardly expect him to say "give up, you'll never manage it because you're not me" because that would hardly be an encouraging message, so maybe he's right to downplay that aspect.

5 slightly begrudging stars anyway, just for the sheer usefulness for its very specific purpose!