OWN SCHOOL OPENED

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 284, 28 August 1935, Page 9

OWN SCHOOL OPENED

Parents in Lincolnshire Town AUTHORITIES OUTWITTED (Received August 27, 9.30 p.m.) London, August 26. A triumph for private enterprise over bureaucracy is the opening at Waterfoot, Lincolnshire, amid scenes of the greatest enthusiasm, of England's most remarkable elementary school, it was opened by 60 parents, who outwitted the education authorities and avoided prosecution by taking over the management of the school. The authorities recently ordered the Waterfoot children to attend school at Rawtenstall, one mile and a half distant. The parents of the 67 children concerned objected because of the arduous and perilous nature of the journey. Tlie children, under instruction, reported for 12 successive days at the old school, though nobody was present to give lessons. One of the parents scrupulously recorded . their attendance, after which the children went away to play. The authorities threatened prosecution for non-attendance at school, whereupon the parents, at their own expense, opened a competently staffed and fully equipped school at Waterfoot, controlled by their own committee, thus completely disarming the authorities.