STRONG support was shown by Barnsley residents for setting up a new local school when a 'New Schools Challenge' team visited the Alhambra.
The team visited as part of a roadshow led by national education charity New Schools Network designed to gather parents' views on education in their area and raise awareness of free schools.
Natalie Evans, director of the New Schools Network, said: "Our visit to Barnsley gave us a very mixed picture of education in the area.
"While people had positive things to say about many of the schools in the area, when asked if Barnsley could benefit from a new school, an overwhelming 74 per cent said yes.
"A variety of reasons were given for this. Many parents had issues with the quality and choice of education on offer, whereas some stressed the need for more school places, particularly at primary level."
