About Us.

For more than 15 years, New Schools Network has worked to expand educational opportunity.

We helped hundreds of communities, trusts and education pioneers establish free schools across England. Today, we're building on that experience to identify, test and share the innovations that can improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils

Our
Story.

Helping shape a generation of school reform

NSN was established in 2009 with a clear purpose: to improve educational opportunities for children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Following the introduction of the free schools programme, we worked with parents, teachers, local communities and multi-academy trusts to establish new state schools across England – many of them in areas of significant deprivation and low educational standards.

As an independent charity, we acted as a bridge between school founders and government, helping turn ambitious ideas into successful schools while contributing to the development of the policy itself.

Our impact.

Over the last decade, NSN has helped support educational change across England:

766 free schools opened
300k+ pupils educated in free schools each year
2k+ professionals matched to academy trust boards

These achievements continue to shape our understanding of how innovation, leadership and autonomy can raise standards and improve outcomes for children.

From new schools to new ideas.

The education landscape has changed.

The challenge today is not simply creating more schools. It is ensuring that more children - especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds - benefit from excellent teaching, strong leadership, and a stronger understanding of what works to improve outcomes.

That's why NSN's work is evolving.

We now focus on helping the education sector identify promising ideas, test them rigorously and share successful practice more widely.

What Guides Our Work.

Opportunity

We are motivated by a simple goal: improving outcomes and expanding opportunities for children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Autonomy

Effective leaders should have the freedom to respond to the needs of the pupils and communities they serve. Professional expertise, strong accountability and the capacity to innovate are essential to improving outcomes.

Evidence

Good intentions alone are not enough. Effective practice should be tested, evaluated and understood so that decisions are informed by evidence rather than assumption.

Innovation

Some of education's biggest challenges have persisted for decades. We believe progress depends on being willing to test new approaches, learn from what works and share those lessons more widely.

What we do today.

Innovation Pilots

Supporting schools and organisations to develop, test and evaluate new approaches to tackling persistent barriers to outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

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Research & Policy

Exploring what works, sharing effective practice and shaping the future of education.

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Innovation Network

Identifying, connecting and amplifying the innovations that could improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

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