New Schools Network (NSN) is a charity improving the life chances of young people across the country by supporting the creation of new free schools. NSN finds talented people and organisations, supports them to establish new free schools in their communities and, through the Academy Ambassadors Programme, supports better governance by finding business leaders with the right skills to become trustees.

Following the Brexit referendum and a period of uncertainty Europa School’s students can breathe a little easier knowing the school can offer the IB Diploma Programme from September 2020. This accreditation follows a rigorous programme of staff training and inspection by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO).

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During this unprecedented period, we want to continue to provide programmes of support as far as is possible, without creating any additional burden for school leaders, CEOs, NEDs or Chairs. Given that, we have taken the following steps to respond to this emerging situation:

Free schools across the country offer some of the most innovative practices in the state sector. East London Arts and Music (ELAM) is a fine example of this.

"I am pleased to see the implementation of the behaviour hubs programme has been announced today. There is no one size fits all solution for improving behaviour and the range of expertise brought together through this group will undoubtedly help the entire sector improve. Too often the debate in this area means that schools operate in a significantly challenging environment- this is a practical programme to help support schools and academy trusts gain access to the best of the best in our system.

From pheasants flying into windows to becoming table tennis champions, leaders at the The Reach Free School (TRFS) in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire are no strangers to the challenges faced by schools in temporary accommodation. During a recent Spotlight visit to the school, we heard first-hand from Founding Headteacher Richard Booth about how the school managed to thrive during its five years on a temporary site.

"For the vast proportion of school leaders to be concerned about fairness in their admissions process is worrying. The system for school preferences shouldn’t be a complex web, locking out families from leading schools, but a system to empower parents to choose the best education for their child.

"Much of the work being done by schools should be highly commended and I am incredibly proud that disadvantaged pupils perform more highly at free schools than at other state-funded schools. But without fair access to high-performing schools for all pupils, social justice is lost.