VFS - Make or Break

VFS - Make or Break

Due to a number of unfortunate circumstances the VFS steering group has had a number of people step down from the project. We now find ourselves at breaking point.

Unless we get volunteers who are able to contribute to the areas of Finance, Education, Governance, Marketing and Project Management, we will be unable to continue with our application to open a secondary school in September 2015.

Volunteers will have to be able to commit to undertaking tasks in their area of expertise and assisting with the writing of the application as well as committing to a weekly meeting either face to face or via Skype.

This commitment will need to continue until at least July 2014 when we will know if our application has been successful. But we're hoping most will commit right through to the opening of the school.

VFS is currently on the New Schools Network Programme and the VFS team believe we have a strong case for our school. However, we need to work hard to prove this in our application. We've done really well to get this far. Our local MPs all support the project.

If you would like to help please respond by 1st November 2013 by emailing contactvfs@gmail.com. If we do not have enough volunteers come forward then unfortunately we will have to say goodbye to VFS.

Please take time to consider whether you can be involved. This decision will have a huge affect on the kids in our villages who deserve the chance to experience the best possible education.

Thank you.

The VFS Team

The VFS Vision!

The Villages Free School (VFS) will be a secondary school with Sixth Form. In September 2015, VFS will take 144 pupils in Year 7 which will build incrementally year on year. VFS will be one of the top schools in the country:

The VFS's overarching vision is:

•      to be a school that ensures each of its pupils receives a ‘well rounded education’ as well as excelling academically.

•      to ensure each pupil understands what is required and has the necessary skills, to move from school to employment either prior to or following further education; and

•      to ensure that each pupil is capable and understands the value of making a contribution to the wider community and society in which they live.

To achieve the overarching vision VFS will have a number of distinguishing features:

 •     VFS will be one of the top schools in the country:
It will be academically rigorous and will set high expectations for itself and its pupils. VFS will focus on the EBacc to ensure that its pupils leave with the best possible academic qualifications.

•      Its specialist focus on business and social entrepreneurship throughout the curriculum will equip all pupils with the necessary skills and understanding to make a smooth transition from education to employment.

•      It will have a well-rounded curriculum, which means that VFS will not only focus on the core academic subjects but also sport and the arts.
It will actively engage with its pupils to nurture a desire to contribute to the local and wider community and society in which they live. It will do this through extra-curricular activities and events, by focusing on high levels of pastoral care and forging strong community links.

•      Class sizes will be smaller than the average class size.

VFS Facts:

•      VFS will be a mixed secondary school for children between the ages of 11 – 18.
•      VFS’s current projections are that there will be a 6 form entry with 144 places per year group. In Sixth Form VFS will take 116 pupils each year. Its current projections are that there will be 952 pupils when the school is full to capacity.

New website coming soon...

NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON

in the meantime:

Our first VFS volunteer team meeting - Success!

VFS here we come!

Yes it's starting to happen folks! Recently we found out that the Villages Free School has been accepted onto the New Schools Network (NSN) Development Programme. This is a great achievement after a tough application process and interview.

And now we've just had our first VFS volunteer team meeting. Thank you to everybody who came along. There was some good solid progress made. 

Laura giving her welcome speech

The evening started with a short presentation from Laura, Rea and James. Then we had a good questions and answers session. This was quickly followed by everybody splitting up into their chosen group of expertise. The groups were finance, IT, project management, education, property, marketing and HR. Tea was served. And finally Matthew closed the night with an update from each of the groups.

Keep tuned for more regular updates!

Thank you.

The VFS Team

Bramley Fete - VFS News:

Bramley Fete - 18th May 2013

Hi All.

Bramley Fete was a good success. It was nice to see so much support for the Villages Free School. The weather held up really well and a few sponges were thrown too! Thank you to all who came to see us. We shall do it all again on the 9th of June at Shalford Fete.

Our application to the New Schools Network is also progressing nicely. We had an interview today! It went well. We got some good feedback and great tips for our full application to the DFE. We'll find out at the beginning of June if we've been successful and selected to join the NSN Development Programme which will really help our application. So fingers crossed! We'll let you know as soon as we do!

Kind regards,

The VFS Team.

VFS - Survey results to date:

Hi Everyone!

Here are some of the results from our online survey so far:

* 87% felt unhappy with the current secondary and felt their children will not reach their full potential

* 90% felt their current secondary does not offer a high quality of education

* 94% agreed there was a shortage of spaces 

* 88% felt that the current state secondary's play no part in the local community

* 49% said it will take them 15-20 travel by car to get to their secondary

* 35.7 % said it will take them 10-15 minutes to travel by car

* 96 % agreed there is a need for a new secondary school in the area

* 97.5 % said they would send their children to a free school in the area

Thank you to everybody who took part. The survey will remain open for another few weeks so if you have seen or completed it please click here.

Some of you asked questions at the end of the survey but failed to leave an email address. If you are waiting for a response please email us again at contactvfs@gmail.com and we will reply as soon as possible.

Thank you,
The VFS Team.

We're on Facebook...

Just in case you were looking for us on Facebook search for "Villages Free School".

Alternatively click on this link: VFS on Facebook

Thanks!

We've done some homework!

Hello!

We now welcome the villages of Albury, Shere, Gomshall and Peaslake.

We've been busy preparing our application for the New Schools Network. We need your support! If you've not completed the survey then please do so before the 8th of May. Here is the link:
Click here to do the survey

We will also be attending some local fetes. So you can come along and meet us. More details soon!

Our e-survey is ready - help us bring VFS to life!

VFS is currently in its application stage. One of the key requirements is to demonstrate demand from the local community. 

Please take a moment to complete the e-survey below and share it with your friends. Thank you!

Click here to do the survey

The Villages Free School Needs You!

The Villages Free School (VFS) will be an outstanding secondary school for the children of Bramley, Shalford, Wonersh, Shamley Green, Chilworth, Blackheath and immediate surrounding areas.

VFS aims to be one of the best schools in the country, renowned for academic excellence and capable of instilling real ambition in all of its pupils irrespective of their background. VFS will offer an innovative approach to education ensuring each pupil reaches their full potential. It will be a school that delivers a safe learning environment and is a local school for the local children with strong community links.

VFS needs your help because without you it can’t happen. So here's what you can do:


1. Complete the e-survey
VFS is currently in its application stage. One of the key requirements is to demonstrate demand from the local community. So in a few days please visit again and the e-survey will be ready.

2. Volunteer and get involved by emailing us at contactvfs@gmail.com
Teams of experts need to be created in order to push the school forward to creation. We are looking for people who can help in the following areas:

· Education (particularly secondary teachers, existing or ex secondary leadership and educational expertise)

· Finance

· Project Management

· Legal (particularly education)

· HR

· Property & Construction

· Governance

· ICT

· Establishing New Organisations

· Marketing and PR

· Administration

However, if you would like to get involved but don’t feel that your skill set fits into any of the above categories please let us know. VFS values everyone.

3. Spread the word. The more support we have the more weight our application will carry.

VFS is a group of parents from the villages and we would be grateful to hear from you. Please contact us through our email at contactvfs@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you.

The VFS Team.