News & Updates
For press enquiries please contact: press@newschoolsnetwork.org
13 Aug 2026
A level results 2026: Free schools hit top grades
The New Schools Network celebrates the success of free school pupils getting the top grades at A level
7 Aug 2026
The best schools have autonomy – don’t take it away
Following Andy Burnham's announcements on education reform, NSN Director Meg Powell-Chandler argues that devolution needs to empower schools, not give them another layer of bureaucracy
9 Jul 2026
What might Andy Burnham in No.10 mean for schools in England? (Podcast)
Meg Powell-Chandler, Director of NSN, joined Tom Richmond and the 'Inside your Ed' podcast to discuss what a new Prime Minister could mean for schools.
19 Mar 2026
The New Schools Network’s Innovation Pilot Programme will invest in solutions to two of the most stubborn barriers in education
The New Schools Network’s Innovation Pilot Programme will invest in solutions to two of the most stubborn barriers in education, explains Meg Powell-Chandler
9 Mar 2026
Councils’ support of specialist free schools is proof they play a crucial role
Despite the pressure to reconsider, the majority of councils have chosen to press ahead with their special or AP free school projects
27 Feb 2026
New Schools Network responds to the Government’s Schools White Paper
NSN response to the Schools White Paper
12 Feb 2026
Call to create new national standards for AP
Report warns that delaying the pipeline of new AP free schools risks more students being placed in unregistered alternative provision
12 Feb 2026
Children at risk after Labour shelves plans for 20 free schools
Delaying proposals could force vulnerable pupils into fragmented and poorly regulated settings, charity warns
12 Feb 2026
New report shows vulnerable pupils are missing out on vital Alternative Provision places because of free schools review
New analysis from New Schools Network shows AP free schools outperform other state-funded provision
30 Jan 2026
Why the Schools Bill remains a threat to a thriving sector
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has been stuck in Parliament for a year and yet key problems remain within the legislation, argues Meg Powell-Chandler
16 Dec 2025
NSN discusses the cancellation of free school projects on LBC
NSN Director appeared on LBC to discuss the cancellation of free school projects
12 Dec 2025
NSN responds to the Government’s review of the free school pipeline
The Government have cancelled a number of free school projects
2 Dec 2025
'Government’s confused free school policy is harming outcomes’
Delays and confusion over the opening of new free schools is putting pupil outcomes at risk, argues Meg Powell-Chandler
5 Nov 2025
New Schools Network comments on the final Curriculum and Assessment Review
Welcome focus on knowledge and professional autonomy but making the curriculum compulsory for all schools reduces innovation by design
3 Nov 2025
Times leader: Labour should approve new free schools without further delay
The Times recognise that "Free schools work"
30 Oct 2025
Bridget Phillipson must let Eton build its schools in the north
New Schools Network research quoted in powerful article about free school projects
21 Aug 2025
GCSEs 2025: Free schools hit top grades
Free schools outperform other state funded schools by 3 percentage points
14 Aug 2025
A levels 2025: Free schools hit top grades
Free schools outperform other state-funded schools by 6 percentage points
10 Jul 2025
NFER research shows free schools work
Pupils have higher attendance, higher attainment and more likely to take A levels
7 Jul 2025
Why government should pause the schools bill
If the Government really wants excellence for every child, it would do well to rethink this much-criticised piece of legislation, says the director of the New Schools Network