Kings Leadership Academy and Bronte Girls Academy have applied to open schools

Two trusts have applied to open secondary schools in Bolton in wave 14 of the department for education free school applications.

Bronte Girls Academy has been put forward by Feversham Education Trust. And the Great Schools Trust has applied to open its second Kings Leadership Academy following the huge success of its first.

Bolton Council Leader, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said:“We welcome these applications to bring two new free schools to Bolton. If successful, these schools would give parents and pupils across the borough an even greater variety of choice over where to study. The increased capacity would also be welcome as more families are choosing to live and work in Bolton.”

Kings Leadership Academy opened in Great Lever in 2019, with the aim of giving young people a independent style education without the price tag. And since opening it has proved popular.

The school opened in high quality temporary buildings to deal with the shortage of secondary school places, with plans underway to open a purpose built school.

Sir Iain Hall, chief executive of Kings Leadership Academy schools, said: “There is a shortage of school places in Farnworth. Kings Leadership Academy in Great Lever had its first parents evening, and the plaudits it received show that parents are behind the school and welcome the type and high quality education it offers.”

He added that opening a second school would allow more children to benefit from the education delivered if Kings Leadership Academy in Great Lever is oversubscribed.

Sir Iain said that opening a second school would allow more children to benefit from the education delivered if Kings Leadership Academy in Great Lever is oversubscribed.

The Great Lever school is headed up by David Crosby who helped a student from one of the country’s poorest areas secure a place at the world famous Eton College.

"I have believed for a long time children should be able to have an independent type education without a £30,000 price tag," said Sir Iain, who added the school provides enrichment activities, music lessons for every child and run a Combined Cadet Force, usually just run in private schools.

He added: "It is about building character in each child, developing their resilience and determination to succeed."

No on from Bronte Girls Academy responded when contacted by The Bolton News about their plans for the school. Former Education Secretary and Bolton MP Ruth Kelly joined Feversham Education Trust (FET) as Patron