“Setting up a new school with other parents and people from the community is not just a viable option, it’s the only option. There’s such a poor service of secondary schools in this area that we need to have this option available to us.”

“This is a great area to live in with good primary schools but when kids get to the age of secondary education what do you do? There are many other parents who are in the same situation and are having to consider getting up early and driving to the other side or even out of Bristol. Some are even moving to another area altogether to get near a school that would benefit their children.”

“The problem is that the state primary system has 30 children to a class. In my local school there are sometimes even 60 children within a room with a division. The state system only provides classes of that size so I feel it is necessary to find some other way of educating my daughter. That’s why I’m trying to set up a school."

"I don’t feel the private option is a good one. Firstly financially that isn’t even an option for us. But moreover it’s clear that the local private primary schools are very privileged. They’re all white middle class and it doesn’t reflect the local demographic and I’m not interested in her being part of that type of environment.”

“Before my children reach the age of secondary school I was thinking that we would have to move. I don’t want to move out of London but currently that’s the only answer. I don’t know how I can educate my children well locally and I don’t have the money for private. It’s not an option.”

“We sometimes have this idea that there is only one way to do things. With the national curriculum it has been the gospel for how you’re going to learn and what you’re going to learn. But that isn’t right.

There are so many different ways of having an amazing education. There are so many talented and creative teachers out there that are not free at the moment because we have been told this is what is right for everybody. You don’t do that in any other walk of life. You don’t make everyone eat the same food or play the same sport. Why should schooling be any different? It shouldn’t be.”

“It’s deeply unfair that finance is the bottom line when it comes to whether you have choice or not. It shouldn’t be like that. Starting more local schools would enable people to have more choice."

"There are a lot of passionate people out there who are ready to set up new schools and do new things. It’s just been a really big struggle for them to do so. If that could change it would be really good for all parents.”

“In this area houses are sold on the basis that the primary schools are so good. Secondary schools are really not as good and most people go outside of Bristol. I would really like my children to go to a school with their friends that we could walk to. I’m not in a position to move so there isn’t another option other than putting them on the bus for a long time.”

“My children’s school is being closed despite being a great school with excellent class sizes. The only options I have been given are schools which are so oversubscribed that they have over 40 children in a class or are under performing. This is not what I want for my children.

“I think most parents around here would be keen for another option. Purely because so many people aren’t pleased with what we’ve got in terms of secondary schools.

“I have a son who is 11 in his final year at primary school. I know when he gets to secondary school the classes are going to get bigger. I am not in a position for private school or even to move. So to be able to set up a school or send him to a new school with smaller classes would be very beneficial."

“New schools will mean other schools will have to improve. I wouldn’t say it would be fierce competition but definitely some competition as existing schools would have to improve to make sure they are performing at their best and giving children the best support they can. If they don’t then parents can take their kids out of those schools.”

“There is a distinct lack of realistic choice of schools within Durham County. The school to which my daughter has been allocated because of proximity, is in my opinion and recent Ofsted reports, a poorly performing school. The school of my choice is consistently oversubscribed and has now restricted the catchment area making it virtually impossible to get a place unless through the appeal process. Many people move house therefore incurring great expense in order to secure a place at this school. The only other choice of a good school is a Catholic one, which unless I am willing for my daughter to convert to Catholicism, have no chance of securing a place at either. I have managed to get my child into an ok school but it means travelling five miles across the city twice daily. Not ideal. Ultimately I feel we are left with second best and not given a real choice at all."