Sorry folks for not following up our Free School interview with a quick posting. How did it go? Did we have a good day in London? I'll tell you in 6-8 weeks when DfE announces which groups have been successful!
Returning to Sheffield on the train, we chewed over the whole experience and where we might have given a better response. We were all agreed the questions ranged widely over our proposal and that members of the interviewing panel seemed familiar with our application. We thought the questioning thorough, balanced and fair, with all the opportunity we needed to make our case in the 90 minutes allotted to us.
I'm not sure if we could have done better. As an existing School, we are so close to the reality and actuality of running a school, we are close to so much that for aspirant groups is still to come - a different perspective, altogether.
So, we wait. And return to business-as-usual, for now: an ERDF bid to take to the next stage in partnership with High Green Development Trust; a DoH fund to consider; supporting another group at Paces Campus develop a training proposal and so on.
Friday evening. A weekend of relaxation in prospect, not every minute thinking about what needs to be done. Mind you, on Sept 21st we've got the visit of HRH the Duke of Gloucester, so I must check on Monday if ...... and so it goes on, a work-in-progress.
Thanks to all the very many people who encouraged us with best wishes for the DfE interview.