Appointment of new headteacher

Following the interview this morning, we have appointed a new head for St Michael's who will, please God, lead the school through the transformation into a new future as a free school.

Neil Anderson is a physics teacher from Plymouth; he taught at St Boniface college. 

He is a man of great vision, a strong Catholic faith and a particular devotion to Our Lady. May God bless him as he takes up the reigns.

Coalition Government could be in our favour

After 5 days of uncertainty, we now have a Conservative-Liberal Coalition. After much careful listening, it looks as though Free Schools remain on the manifesto agenda: so our hopes are still alive!

                                                    

General Election result

The unusual outcome of a hung parliament today means that we are left unsure as to where the Free Schools initiative is to end up. We're all on tenterhooks, but that's par for the course for us...

Going public with our project

Yesterday we held an open meeting in St John's primary school in Camborne. We were hoping to assess possible support for the plan. The turnout was pleasing; the hall was full and prospective parents of pupils were full of questions. We have secured a list of names of people willing to be actively supportive. Forms are to be sent out gathering names so that we can provide a decent picture of support.

A first meeting in London

Yesterday Joyce and Monica travelled to London for a meeting organised by the New Schools Network on the issue of Free Schools. Representatives of all three main political parties were on hand to explain their positions.  Michael Gove MP for the Conservatives  responded to our question that the St Michael's School project is exactly the sort of bid he would look at supporting.

A possible new home?

Last summer the Trevu Centre in Camborne was placed on the market. At present it is a SureStart children's centre. It is owned by the Council who wish to sell the site as it is not really fit for purpose; they want to find or build a better site. However the building would be great for us. It is right next to the railway station linking Camborne to Penzance, Truro and St Austell. It is also just opposite the Catholic church and primary school in Camborne. So now we just have to look at finding the funds. Where there's a will...

The project begins...

A group of three (our headteacher, a former head and  a priest) made the journey through the snow yesterday to Bishop's House in Plymouth to meet with the Rt Rev Christopher Budd. We were able to explain our plan for a free-school in Cornwall. As patron of St Michael's, Bishop Budd listened carefully and consented to give his name to the project.