A TEACHER has announced his plans to change the face of education in York by opening his own school.

Paul Baptie, 35, of Nicholas Street, York, has been a teacher for 12 years. He has decided to use his experience in the classroom to open an unusual new private school in the city, which will allow children to choose what they learn.

He is now looking for staff, pupils and premises for the school, which would teach pupils aged between five and 18.

He said: "I want to create the best school on the planet. Kids will choose what they want to learn.

"I don't like the line up, sit up, shut up approach. Schools should be as flexible as possible."

Mr Baptie, who taught languages at Woldgate School, in Pocklington, for six months, has called his project Realschool and describes it as a "small school with a big heart".

He has looked at several premises to house the school, including the site of Fulford Cross School, which is closing next year.

His vision includes teaching PE in German to help children pick up the language quickly; organising work placements on farms; and encouraging children to cook their own lunch.

He also wants parents to be actively involved in running the school.

Mr Baptie said he first had the idea for the school a few years ago, but a personal development course in America encouraged him to try and make his dream a reality.

"I want to challenge the idea that a broad education is a good education," he said.

"If someone comes to me and says they want to learn astrophysics, philosophy and sculpture then I will say: 'Fantastic'."

Mr Baptie's former boss, Jeff Bower, the head teacher at Woldgate School, said he was not surprised to hear about the proposal, adding: "I knew he had some interesting ideas."

Updated: 09:00 Saturday, September 27, 2003