New Schools Network launches new mission to defend school freedom

The New Schools Network (NSN), the national education charity, has launched  a new mission — led by a former Downing Street Special Adviser — to defend hard-won academy freedoms as the Government presses ahead with the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The NSN — which supported the set up of hundreds of successful free schools across the country — has said academy freedoms and free school programmes are at risk as the Government’s education legislation goes through Parliament.

Provisions included in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill threaten to bring an end to the successful free schools programme and create new restrictions and bureaucracy for all academy schools, not just new ones. 

There are over 650 free schools and 10,000 academies in England, and free schools have consistently topped national performance measures such as Progress 8. The school reforms which allowed for free schools and greater academisation correlate with England’s improvement in global education rankings, including TIMSS and PISA. Yet, many school leaders fear the proposed legislation threatens to undermine these achievements by restricting the freedoms that have been pivotal to their success.

The NSN has appointed Meg Powell-Chandler, former Downing Street and Department for Education Special Adviser. She will lead the refreshed organisation, and use her extensive Government experience to advocate for school freedom and innovation while developing considered policy solutions to empower educational excellence.

There is growing concern and deep unease among many in the education sector that the proposed legislation represents a retrograde step for education in this country. It risks undoing the remarkable progress achieved over the past few decades, jeopardising the freedoms and innovations that have enabled academies and free schools to deliver transformative outcomes for their students.

In light of this, the New Schools Network will focus on two key missions over the next few months – championing school freedoms that the Bill imperils and making the case to revive the free schools programme, which is currently under review by the Government.

Meg Powell-Chandler, Director of New Schools Network, said:

“It is a very important time for all of us who believe passionately that free schools and academies have improved the lives of millions of children. So I am extremely pleased to be appointed as Director of the New Schools Network to continue the campaign for better education.  

“The Government is right to focus on raising standards in education, but the proposed legislation risks doing the exact opposite, turning back the clock on one of the most transformative periods of educational reform in recent history. The freedoms granted to academies and free schools have been the foundation of their success, enabling them to innovate and excel. 

“The New Schools Network will continue to be a voice for those who believe in the power of these freedoms to deliver a high standard of education for all children. We know a one size fits all approach doesn’t work for pupils, why should it work for schools?” 

David Ross, Chair of Trustees at New Schools Network and David Ross Education Trust, said: 

“Our mission is clear: that state schools have the freedoms they need to give every pupil the world class education they deserve. Free schools and academies have been a major part of our national educational success – but this is not just about international rankings, this is about opening up opportunities for millions of children.

“I am not alone as a Trust leader in fearing that the current proposals will damage the futures of thousands of children across our country. We risk ideologically dismantling the most significant cross-party achievement of the last two decades and taking our education system backwards.”

The New Schools Network will serve as a vital resource for free schools and academies, providing practical advice, fostering collaboration, and amplifying their voices in national debates. The organisation’s renewed focus ensures it remains at the forefront of advocating for educational excellence and protecting the freedoms that make it possible.