I think its a good idea but not sure where it would/should go in the borough. Perhaps its time for a cross borough initiative partnering with Southwark as the Forest Hill Road area down to Peckham seems to be light on schools and many Southwark children go to Fairlawn as I understand it.

Personally I think any new school should be local authority maintained as that is in the best interests of the whole community and prospective pupils as well as existing ones. They look at the balance of interests and needs and aim to meet those, not always 100% successfully but I am more comfortable with such an arrangement that one set up and governed by enthusiastic parents as I do not regard this as a sustainable model nor do I see any advantage, just disadvantage for children with special needs. Im not convinced about this free school model either and think such ventures should remain in the private sector.

Thats not to say that continuous improvement and amendments to educational strategy as a result of new research and a changing world isn't a bad thing but that can also be done whilst under LA control and through a national curriculum.