New School at West Heath
“The trauma of being abused as a child
should not mean children feel like
they can’t reach their full potential.”
- Mohamed Al Fayed
The former school of Diana, Princess of Wales, went into receivership the day she died, but its legacy survives. Bought by Mohamed Al Fayed to house Val May’s Beth Marie Centre, the school is now using education to rebuild the lives of children who have experienced trauma.
Revived but in need of sustenance
Run as a charity the school reopened in September 1988 as the New School at West Heath. It is a hit. Classes are kept to a maximum of eight per group, fees are heavily subsidised, and boarding is available. The pupils have even named Mohamed Al Fayed as their "favourite patron".
The school’s popularity means places are always in demand, but with a growing waiting list, many children aren’t getting the help they need.
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What you can do
Every child deserves a sound education. Under the 1988 Education Act, however, children experiencing difficulties which prevent them from attending school have no statutory right to full-time schooling. Instead, their Local Education Authority determines the amount of education they receive. This makes following the National Curriculum hard, and gaining qualifications even harder.
Two initiatives hope to combat this and need your support to do so.
:: Giving to FaCE: fundraise, make donations or give corporate support to help The New School at West Heath move children with “damaged lives” up the waiting list and into education by giving to their FaCE campaign (Fund a Child’s Education). http://www.westheathschool.com/friends/ Telephone: 01732 460553.
:: Supporting ERIC: help the Educational Rights for an Individual Child campaign fight for improved education laws, and give support to families of children whose mainstream education has broken down. Call Margaret Vinson on 01732 882 524 or write to her at Scotts Hold Cottage, Crouch Lane, Borough Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 8QL.
*Image by Matt Devine
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