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Introduction to Free Schools

 

Where Free Schools Come From

Independent state schools have existed for several decades. In the 1980s, City Technology Colleges were established in deprived areas. In the 1990s, existing state schools were given more freedom and independence under the status of Grant Maintained schools. In 2000, Academies were established – like City Technology Colleges, they are independent state schools in deprived areas, with sponsors from business and education. In 2005 the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, expanded the Academy programme, citing charter schools in the United States and Free Schools in Sweden as a model for the UK.

Free Schools are also inspired by the charter school programme in the United States and the Free School programme in Sweden. You can read more about these in 'International Examples'.

Why do we support Free Schools?

A significant minority of parents cannot get their child into 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 their child into a good local school, new schools should be able to set up and be given the freedom to offer what parents want.

At the same time, demographic pressures mean we need many more schools. It would be better if these open where teachers and parents want them rather than having them built in the same way as the past - controlled by politicians in Whitehall and local government.

We know that giving greater freedom to schools works. Academies have transformed education standards in the poorest areas in the country. However they are limited to changing existing schools, and too often must rely on local authorities to support their creation. Because Free Schools are entirely new projects they can bring innovation and diversity into areas where Academies have not been established.

Free schools also mean that:

  • New schools can be set up wherever there is parental demand;
  • A community does not have to wait to have a failing school before it is allowed a better one; and
  • The pool of providers can be widened. International organisations, new charities, teachers, groups of parents – all are allowed to set up independent state schools.

What is a Free School?

A Free School is a non-selective school that operates independently within the state system. It receives public funding according to the number of pupils it attracts and is independent from the Local Authority. It has the flexibility to innovate. Like all state schools it is subject to inspection by the national inspectorate Ofsted. It is also held to account through the results it achieves. It can be closed down if it underperforms.

Free schools are inspired by the charter school programme in the United States and the Free School programme in Sweden. The Coalition Government allowed groups to apply to set up Free Schools from June 2010. The first schools will be opening in September 2011.

In England Free Schools must:

  • Teach students only within the reception through 19 years old age range. Any school teaching nursery or over-19s will not be funded for those years as a Free School;
  • Abide by the Schools Admissions Code;
  • Have more than 5 pupils over the age of 5;
  • Take account of the SEN Code of Practice;
  • Be run by a Charitable Trust;
  • Provide a broad and balanced curriculum including the core subjects such as Maths, English and Science. Free Schools do not have to follow the National Curriculum; and
  • Achieve good results and do well in inspections.

To compare Free Schools to other types of mainstream schools in England, download our document:

Differences across school types.pdf 2MB