Greek Orthodox free school eyes up Wood Green

An application for a Greek Orthodox free school was made to the Education Secretary this week. Currently the plan is considering sites in Wood Green and in Barnet near the border with Muswell Hill.

The decision to go ahead with the bid followed consultation with the Greek and wider community in North London to gauge support for a proposal to create a new secondary school offering education in Mathematics, English and Science alongside a Classics, Latin and Greek curriculum.

The committee worked closely with the Russell Education Trust to ensure they met the DfE’s criteria for the bid, and if it is approved, aim to have the school judged as outstanding by OfSTED and the local community within two years of opening.

The bid was led by a committee under the chairmanship of West Hampstead architect Yiannis Pareas. Yiannis describes himself as being "passionate about the need to establish a Greek Orthodox School in North London to sustain the Greek Language, culture and heritage in the Greek Community."

The committee's website expands on their vision of sustaining 'Greekness'. It explains that alongside the standard curriculum, children will be taught:

To have pride in Greek culture, language, religion, to understand and promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils. To prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities, challenges and experiences in later life.

The Perfect school is based on the perfect Principles:
Greek Philosophy
Greek Culture
Greek Language
Greek Orthodox Religion

Archbishop Gregorios of the Holy Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain and Ireland has called upon the whole Greek community to pray for and support this vision - which we believe will be for the benefit of all.

The Committee are working closely with the Russell Education Trust (RET) and are intending to open the school in September 2012.