Why do we need new schools?

There is a significant minority of parents who cannot send their child to a good local school. While the wealthy can buy a house in the right postcode, or pay for private school fees, many do not have that option.

We believe every parent should have access to a good local school which offers what their child needs – the right level of attention, the right ethos and the right curriculum.

Most state schools are good – many are superb. They should continue to thrive. But in some areas we need more, and better, schools. Where parents cannot get into a good local school, new schools should be able to set up and given the freedom to offer what parents want.

How would they work?

A group of teachers or parents, a charity or organisation could submit a business plan and a vision for a new school. Providing it met basic standards – for example no extremist teaching – it would be able to open and parents could send their children there. The school would receive support from the government for every child attending the new school, just as state schools do now.

The New Schools Network believes that there should be proper accountability of new schools – they would be inspected regularly, and if they were teaching inappropriate material or were not providing a good education, they would be closed.

Parents who are stuck with a poorly performing local school need a second chance. New schools would give that chance – and as a result children would have opportunities they are currently denied. In America some new schools in deprived areas have over 80 per cent of students going to university. The same should happen here.

Can I start a new school now?

Yes, although it might take a while. However two of the three major political parties – the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats - have pledged to make it easier, and several Labour MPs have argued for new schools. The Network is campaigning for all political parties to pledge to introduce legislation to allow new schools.

You can prepare to set up your school right now. If you contact the Network here we will help you create a plan and get support in your area for a new school. We will also be publishing guides in the coming months on this site.

I’m interested in a new school but I don’t want to set one up myself. What can I do?

Sign up here. We will link you with groups who are interested in setting up schools in your area and make sure you are consulted on their plans.

Who will benefit?

Everyone could benefit from this new system - the evidence from Sweden shows that providing new schools makes existing schools better, not worse. And under this new system every parent would be able to send their child to a school which offered what their child needs – whether that be small classes, the right support and discipline, or a particular curriculum.

But it is the poorest who would benefit the most. The New Schools Network advocates giving more funding to schools accepting pupils from poor areas. This means schools have a direct incentive to set up in deprived areas and make the case for their school to poorer parents.

Even without weighted funding, evidence from the United States shows that it is the poorest who benefit from this policy the most. They are the ones forced to go to large, underperforming schools – and who need another option. A 2004 report by the US Department of Education has found that charter schools serve a disproportionate and increasing number of poor and minority students.

What is the evidence they will work?

There are an enormous number of studies showing the positive effect of new schools. You can read about the evidence here.

How will we keep standards high?

New schools would be inspected regularly and held accountable. They would have the freedom to offer what parents wanted, but they would also be expected to get good results.

How can I help?

Please sign up here. If you want to set up a school, or talk about your own experiences, or just find out more, we want to hear from you.