A JOURNALIST and author is hoping to set up a new school in the borough to help pupils reach top of the class.

Acton resident Toby Young is concerned for his children's future and believes they may struggle at Acton High, their closest secondary school.

The writer of How to Lose Friends and influence People, which was made into a movie last year, met with like-minded parents this week to flesh-out his plans.

The 45-year-old said: "The problem with Acton High School is the percentage of its pupils who achieve five GCSEs above a C grade is 33 per cent, considerably below the national average.

"I want to send my children to a state school as I did. I failed all my O-levels and it wasn't until I switched to a grammar that I managed to get three A-levels and win a place at Oxford.

"Like me I think my children will need a more disciplined environment where they're pushed harder. Although I don't want to disrespect Acton High, many people have told me great things about its dedicated teaching staff and its high level of pastoral care for a comprehensive of that size."

Mr Young, who is married with four children aged six, four, two and one, wants to create a small non-selective school for about 300 11 to 16-year-olds.

And he believes Gunnersbury House in Gunnersbury Park, Acton, would be the perfect location.

He said: "It's not the idea that it'll become a middle class ghetto. It'll be mixed ability on a first come first served basis. Anyone can come if they get their name down in time, including children from outside the borough.

"Gunnersbury House would be ideal, at the moment it's fairly rundown and it would mean the school would be in the middle of one of London's nicest parks.

"It's in an embryonic stage and I'd be interested to hear some feedback from local residents. I hope they'd be more enthusiastic about this than what the consultants have recommended for the redevelopment of the area."

A spokesman for the Ealing Conservative party, who run the council, said: "It's an interesting proposal but there are many hurdles that need to be addressed.

"The Council’s primary aim remains to work with local schools to further build upon the excellent improvements and success they have achieved in recent years."

Mr Young hopes the new school will be up and running by 2011 but his greatest hurdle will be the next general election expected in May. The government policy which would enable him to create the school is one proposed by the Conservatives and so the opportunity may not be there if they do not win.

Many education experts have pledged their support to Mr Young. Email him on newfreeschool@gmail.com if you believe you can help too.

What are free schools - see page 2

FREE schools are the Conservative party's version of the Labour flagship policy of creating academies.

The principle is the same - creating a non-selective school run by a charitable body with more autonomy and control over things like staff wages, opening hours and teaching methods.

But unlike academies there is no minimum size and no requirement for a sponsor to stump up £2m.

It is based on a Swedish model and all funding will come from the state, with the money following the pupil. They would be in direct competition with comprehensives so council-run schools could lose out if parents decide to send their children to the free school instead.