PARENTS of children whose school was closed down by the Government have set up their own "home school" to teach the youngsters.

Twelve children aged between five and 18 attended independent Friar Gate House School, which lost its registration in November because of poor conditions and education standards.

Some of the younger pupils are understood to have found places in state schools but parents of the six older children have decided to keep them together.

Parent Gaynor Cunningham, of Chaddesden, has helped to set up the Phoenix Home School, which has temporary accommodation in a room at St Peter's Church in Derby.

Businesswoman Mrs Cunningham said: "The older students did not want to go to large state schools and so we have taken the bold step of pooling our resources and opting for home education. We are now trying to find an affordable permanent place for the students to study."

Any parent can decide to have their children taught at home, but the local authority has to be satisfied that they are providing an adequate standard of education.

Mrs Cunningham said that children continued to be taught at Friar Gate until the autumn term ended.

"Parents met last week to decide what to do and we already have the children back in the classroom, only having missed three days of schooling. Teachers from Friar Gate House School will be joining us and new tutors will be employed."

Parents have registered Phoenix as a charity and are paying in monthly amounts equivalent to the £2,400 annual fees per child charged by Friar Gate.

Mrs Cunningham said the home education group plans to offer the children, aged 11 to 15, GCSEs in maths, English, history, geography, business studies and science.

She said: "We will also teach Latin, ancient history, art, photography, cookery, needlework, knitting and crochet, taught by parents.

"We will have educational trips, walks to the park at lunch time, trips to the museum and sports centre."

Friar Gate House School first received a poor inspection report by officials from the Office for Standards in Education in 2007. The report criticised health and safety and education standards at the school.

A second inspection early in 2010 failed to show that improvements had been made.

As a result, the Department for Education decided to close the school.

The city council is currently investigating why the children continued to be educated at the school, despite having its registration removed on November 10.

Anyone who can help with books, equipment or a room for the Phoenix Home School can contact 07930 949 179.