BEFORE plans for a new free school focusing on engineering and science go any further, its proponents and local schools should sit and talk to each other.

Five parents have put forward the scheme to take advantage of the Government drive for schools funded by the state but free of any local education authority control.

They argue that there is a lack of practical education in these fields, a claim some in the business community agree with.

Schools in the south of the county, however, believe there is already enough provision but that the free school movement is not fully aware of this.

Both opinions may be correct.

And perhaps the parents are seeing more of a problem than actually exists, while the schools are taking a defensive position out of self-interest.

But rather than go down a route where the arguments are played out to Government officials in a tussle for backing for a free school, this early stage might be the time for a proper face-to-face meeting.

More considered viewpoints might then emerge to help Education Secretary Michael Gove come to the right decision for the children who will be educated.

After all, they are the ones whose interests are paramount.