GREENWICH: Mum-of-two wants to set up new free primary school (From News Shopper)

GREENWICH: Mum-of-two wants to set up new free primary school

9:51am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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A MOTHER-OF-TWO wants to set up a free primary school which specialises in French and the arts.

Mary Pfeiffer, of Shooters Hill, is a consultant for Skyeward, a company which works with headteachers to improve their schools.

It hopes to set up Shooters Hill Primary School of Arts with 140 pupils by September next year.

The new school would have one class of 20 pupils for each year group with core subjects taught in the morning followed by an Arts curriculum in the afternoon including music, dance, theatre and writing.

Mrs Pfeiffer, who would be the school’s headteacher, said: “Unfortunately in state maintained schools we often see a loss of focus in languages and arts so for many children we find they are not attaining high levels.”

The 37-year-old added: “It takes great skill to sit down and focus on playing the piano. All these types of skills tap into and apply to regular learning.”

Skyeward has sent out 500 flyers to residents about the proposals for the new school.

It has also been in contact with the army as hundreds of families who have been on tour in Cyprus are returning to Woolwich Barracks.

Mrs Pfeiffer said: “It’s about choice. Outstanding schools in the area are over subscribed and parents want more of a voice in their child's learning.”

The school could be set up under the government’s free schools initiative, which gives parents, teachers, charities and community groups powers to set up new schools.

The proposal is still being considered by the government. It is at stage two out of four stages.

Stage three will be presenting a business plan.

For more information about the school, visit shootershillprimaryschoolofarts.com