A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PROJECT

"La Scuola Italiana a Londra" came to life to fill the absence of educational alternatives to the British system that the Italian community in London feels.

Spring 2004
A committee (“Una scuola per gli Italians”) was created within the organisation "Italians of London" with the aim to put together into a clearer structure all the requests the organisation received concerning children's education within the Italian community.
In the autumn the Committee organised a data gathering inquiry - Una Scuola per gli Italians 2004 - and two Focus Groups with Italian/mixed marriage parents with the aim of understanding whether there exists a real demand for an Italian school.

December 2005
In collaboration with the Italian Embassy, the Italian Consulate and the Italian Cultural Institute, "Una Scuola per gli Italians" organised a conference called "Le Scuole Italiane e l'Italiano nelle Scuole" (Italian Schools and Italian in school) to present the findings of the inquiry and of the focus groups. Over 150 people participated in the event to show their support for the initiative.
On that occasion the Ambassador declared his personal and the Italian Government's support for the opening of an Italian school but also pointed out that the funding will have to come from donations as the governemt stopped financing schools abroad many years ago and equally would not support an enterprise which would only benefit a wealthy minority.

February 2006
A work group was founded called "LaScuola Italiana a Londra" with the aim of opening an Italian school in London.
The group was composed of ten volunteers, all with professional experience in various fields, from teaching to finance, from law to public relations.
The group now holds monthly meetings where all progress is discussed and it is sub-devided into three operational teams which specilaise in: the curriculum, the business plan and the general logistics and finanacing.

July 2007
We have obtained Charitable Status from the Charities Commission here in London (Registered Charity No 1119966).

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