Parents with children due to start secondary school in September still do not know if a second school in Wisbech will be accepting students. 

In March, around 40 children from the Wisbech area were allocated places at a secondary school more than an hour’s drive away because their nearest schools are at capacity. 

Cambridgeshire County Council then asked parents if they would be interested in attending the Wisbech Free School if it could be opened in time for when the academic year starts in September.  

But two months on, it has still not been confirmed whether it will definitely be accepting students. 

Communications imply it will probably be going ahead, but parents still do not know if places will be available and what education provision will be on offer.

All parties involved in the project – the Department for Education, Cambridgeshire County Council, and the Brooke Weston Trust – all say they are working to open the school “as soon as possible”. 

A spokesperson for The Department for Education said it will “remain committed to delivering Wisbech Free School” and “will provide more information in due course”.  

Cambs Times: Stock image of a classroom.Stock image of a classroom. (Image: Ben Brichall - PA Archives - PA Wire)However a letter sent to parents from the Brooke Weston Trust late Thursday afternoon (May 2) explained it is still waiting for the decision. 

It said: “The Department for Education and Cambridgeshire County Council, working with the Brooke Weston Trust, are continuing to explore the possibility of opening Wisbech Free School as soon as possible. 

“Ultimately, the final decision on whether the new school can open for September will be made by the Department for Education. 

“Brooke Weston Trust has done everything it can to be ready to open the new school.  

“We stand ready to do so and are now eagerly waiting for some final matters to be decided by the Department for Education and Cambridgeshire County Council so that a final decision can be made.”  

It added: “Once a decision is made, Cambridgeshire County Council will contact parents about the admissions process and how to formally apply for a place at the school. 

“The council is also making contingency plans in the event that the school is unable to open in time for the school term at the start of September 2024 and will keep parents who have not been allocated a school place informed.”  

Cambs Times: Hayley Belsham is hoping her daughter Tilly-Mae will be offered a place at Wisbech Free School.Hayley Belsham is hoping her daughter Tilly-Mae will be offered a place at Wisbech Free School. (Image: Supplied)Hayley Belsham, from Leverington, near Wisbech, is hoping Wisbech Free School will be an option for her daughter Tilly-Mae who was allocated a secondary school place over 20 miles away in Littleport.  

She said: “The communication around this issue has been dire.  

“We hadn’t heard from anyone since the end of March and the update sent to us this week was exactly what was said months ago. 

“It's still no further forwards from our perspective. I’d go as far as saying the situation is laughable, families need to know what’s going on.  

“There’s still no decision as to whether this school will be open by September 2024 and there’s still no indication as to whether the kids allocated Littleport will be given priority places at Wisbech Free School. 

“Tilly-Mae does not want to go to Littleport, it’s too far away and a ridiculous option.  

"Surely if they need to get some form of a secondary school ready in four months, they need to get on with it.” 

Cambs Times: Stock image of a student at a school desk.Stock image of a student at a school desk. (Image: Ben Birchall - PA Archive - PA Images)As well as hoping Wisbech Free School will be an option, Hayley is going through the appeals process at three schools Tilly-May had chosen in her original application.

Their hope is to at least try and secure a place closer to home.  

Brooke Weston Trust already runs Thomas Clarkson Academy, in Wisbech, and Wisbech Free School will be built next to it. 

A Q&A on the Thomas Clarkson Academy website says the Wisbech Free School building will be constructed over the next couple of years and ready to open during the 2026/27 school year.  

But it went on to explain the growing demand for school places means options are being considered to open it by September 2024 for up to 120 students.  

The website text says: “This earlier opening would mean the school opens across two phases.  

“Phase One would see the school open in a modern, modular, temporary school building over the next couple of school years.  

“The new permanent school building will be built alongside this, allowing the school to transfer across to the new building as part of Phase Two in 2026/27.” 

Cambridgeshire County Council said it hopes the decision will be finalised shortly. 

Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive of Brooke Weston Trust, said: "We have done everything we possibly can to be ready to open the new school, for when a final decision is made that confirms whether the school can open earlier in temporary buildings.” 

He added: “We expect a decision will be made soon to provide more certainty to parents and allow us to share more information with the wider community."   

Steve Barclay, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, was approached for comment last week.