Sapere Aude

TWENTY-four new free schools are about to open — these are free from local authority control and the requirements of the national curriculum. They determine their own school hours, policy on uniforms, discipline and much else.

They are being opened by parents, faith groups and others, all of whom are concerned that education should be improved locally.

One such school, the West London Free School, has been created by parents led by the journalist Toby Young, whose offering is devoid of what he calls 'politically correct gobbledygook'.

His school will teach compulsory Latin until the age of 14, major on academic subjects, insist upon smart uniforms and that pupils stand when adults enter a class. Like all free schools it will be non-profit making, state funded and live or die by whether it attracts pupils.

What Toby and others are doing represents the breaking of a monopoly — a monopoly that says that unless you are wealthy enough to send your children to a private school or lucky enough to live in the catchment area of a good state school (of which Okey College is an outstanding example) you will just have to take what you are given.

One of my last encounters with Toby was 30 years ago when one of his mates pulled me off a bar as I made an acceptance speech after an election. I was lucky not to have broken my back and I always think of that incident when I see him on Question Time or read his articles.

Luck was on my side then — I slid off the bar and hit the floor curiously unscathed. I hope that luck is with him now — he deserves success and has already aspired to his school's motto — 'Sapere Aude' or 'dare to be wise'.