Review of the free schools pipeline

In December 2025 the Government announced that it would cancel a number of mainstream, special and AP free schools projects.

After spending over a year reviewing 44 mainstream free school projects, the Government announced that they would proceed with 16 projects and cancel 28.

At the same time the Government cancelled 18 special and AP free school projects and created huge uncertainty over the future of 59 other special and AP projects which were going to provide over 6,900 high quality, specialist places in local communities.

Free schools have had a positive impact on the English education system. They deliver high standards for their students, inject innovation into the system have brought a strong focus to delivering for the most disadvantaged pupils. Free Schools should be an active part of the Government’s drive to raise standards.

NSN believe that the Government should:

  • Be clear with local authorities that their preference is to swiftly deliver the 59 special and AP free school projects and work with them to do so.
  • Commit to future rounds of free schools which have:
    • a focus on areas of educational disadvantage or low educational standards, and;
    • an explicit emphasis on promoting innovative approaches, and;
    • space for projects outside of areas with a basic need for school places