Children will be able to draw up their own contracts with teachers at an innovative school being established in the county.

Teacher Dolly McLauglin is aiming to offer an alternative to conventional schooling under the new initiative, which is likely to prove controversial in the educational world.

The Oxford Small School would operate outside the national curriculum and children themselves would draw up a special contract of activity with teachers, stating what they plan to do each week.

The idea of 'freedom of choice' would be key and pupils themselves would have the chance to vote on some matters effecting the running of the school, which are not already governed by law.

Ms McLaughlin, of Elsfield, near Oxford, who has taught in both the private and state sector explained: "We are obliged to offer a balanced curriculum with basic literacy and numeracy. If they do not want to do this they will be challenged on it."

But she added that children would be free to incorporate individual interests and skills into the curriculum, such as hobbies like photography.

The independent school would be one of several schools in Britain based on the principle of giving children choices over their own education. Ms McLaughlin added: "They are quite often controversial. I think it's an emotional thing. Adults that have not been given choice cannot imagine how they would have coped sensibly. They do not believe children can cope sensibly with that choice.

"They (pupils) would be able to decide what the consequences on the part of children's actions are if somebody has accidentally broken a window or hurt somebody's feelings. I think it helps children to grow up knowing themselves in real-life situations."

The school, which would operate as an educational charity, is likely to begin with a small number of primary pupils in the Millennium, although no premises have been finalised.

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