A niche public service contracts law firm has helped set up the UK's first state-funded secondary school run by parents.


London-based The Projects Partnership advised Lambeth Council and the Parent Promoters Foundation, which was set up to establish Elmgreen School in south London. The area has previously suffered from limited school places.



The creation of the voluntary-controlled school was possible thanks to 2003 legislation taking away local authorities' monopoly on setting up new schools and permitting open competition from other potential providers. Elmgreen will accept its first intake of pupils this month.



Projects Partnership director Graham Burns said that, as a voluntary-controlled school, Elmgreen was a state institution with staff employed by the local authority, but with land and buildings held by the foundation.



He added: 'Community consultation decided the type, size and ethos of the school. Parents also appointed most of the governors and will have a continued role in the school's future.'



Jonathan Rayner