Free schools have gained popularity in Britain since the government came up with a free school policy. This is a policy that allows businesses, community groups, charities, teachers and parents to set up schools of their own. These schools are funded by the taxpayers but are not controlled by the local authority. However, they are are still expected to adhere to standard and performance measures and are subject to inspections by the necessary authorities. They are non-selective and therefore admit children of all social backgrounds. These schools are also free to attend.
Libertarian Ideals
Unlike many of the ordinary schools, free schools are non-authoritarian and non-institutional. Their main aim is to create equal skill sharing and educational opportunities within the community. These schools offer a balanced and broad curriculum and emphasise on open learning and free speech. As a result, things like homework, tests, grades and classes are not mandatory. They recruit the teachers they want, control their admissions and set a curriculum of their own. The teachers and students sit together to create the rules that govern the schools.
The benefits of a free school to the students and teachers are many. Firstly, they have an open structure where knowledge, information and skills are shared freely. This kind of structure encourages social responsibility, personal development, critical consciousness and self-reliance. They support the development of each student and every teacher to help them attain their full potential in life.
Small Class Sizes
The class sizes in most of these schools are usually small. This is beneficial to the students as teachers are able to give them individual attention. They are able to listen and understand the individual needs of each student and respond to them appropriately. On the other hand, the teachers have a manageable teaching load that enables them to concentrate on the personal and educational needs of each student.
Most of the regular and supply teachers in these schools are satisfied and comfortable in their teaching jobs. This is because these schools give them an opportunity to self-direct their professional growth. They do this by involving the teachers in decision making, allowing them to choose the subjects to teach and giving them a chance to design the curricula. The teachers are also able to share their strategies and insights with their colleagues to make the learning experience even more successful.
Decent Compensation
These schools compensate all their teaches well to motivate them to give the best to the children. The salaries of teachers are normally arrived at by the stakeholders and are usually higher than those offered in public schools. The compensation may also include life and health insurance and generous vacation and leave policies. They also provide family friendly policies that allow admission of the teachers’ children to the school.
Free schools also provide a conducive environment for the students and teachers. They offer great facilities such as good classrooms with the necessary furniture, learning materials and equipment such as books and computers. They also have various extra curricular activities that the school community can take part in such as clubs, games and entertainment. In other words, these schools control the norms and student culture to build an environment that works for the teachers, kids and the community.
Diversity
Free schools are usually diverse and are therefore committed to creating multicultural and inclusive environments. They admit students and recruit teachers from different communities regardless of race or color. This is beneficial because students and teachers get exposed to different cultures and this fosters consensus building, cultural pluralism and respect within the community.
A free school has many benefits for both the children, community and teachers. Their main objective is to create an all round student by encouraging academic excellence, providing leadership opportunities and giving him a chance to explore his talents. Supply teachers and regular teachers in these schools are well remunerated and work in a conducive environment that encourages personal development, social responsibility and self-reliance.