Review of the free schools pipeline

In October 2024 the Government announced that it would be reviewing the 44 free schools in the mainstream pipeline.

The list of these 44 projects is not public and there has been no official update on the review since it was launched. The New Schools Network put in a Freedom of Information Act request to make the list public.

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:

  • Confirm the 44 free school projects under review and support their opening as soon as possible
  • 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