The Humble Petition of the Slough Sikh Education Trust and members of the Sikh community within Slough and South Buckinghamshire.
Sheweth,
That the application of the Slough Sikh Education Trust to build and open a new Sikh Secondary Faith School, “Khalsa Academy” in September 2012, was submitted in June 2011; that the Academy is to be sited next to the existing successful Sikh primary school; and that the trustees have, over the past year, exhausted all other feasible site options in the Slough area.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House urges the Government to approve the application of the Slough Sikh Education Trust to build and open the Khalsa Academy in September 2012; and to support their endeavours to build the school on land near the existing Sikh Primary School.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray &c.—[Presented by Fiona Mactaggart, Official Report, 29 June 2011; Vol. 530, c. 1074 .]
[P000933]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Education:
The Department received 281 applications to open a Free School as part of the 2012 application round. This included an application from the Slough Sikh Education Trust (SSET) to establish Khalsa Academy in 2012.
All groups provided information to a set deadline—as set out in the “How to apply” form. This required detailed information on the vision and ethos of the proposed schools, their educational plan, evidence of parental demand for the provision being offered, site options which represents best value for money and the capacity and capability of the groups to deliver the project. Groups that met the Government’s minimum requirements were judged against each other and scored on the strength of their proposals. Shortlisted applicants were called for an interview to discuss aspects of their proposal. A list of applications which were successful following the interviews is available on the DfE website.
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/typesofschools/freeschools/b00197715/free-schools-2012
The Department provides feedback to all unsuccessful applicants on how their application could be strengthened should they wish to re-apply in a future Free School application round.