Government opens up free school bid criteria

Updated guidance from the Department for Education has opened up criteria for opening a free school to include addressing a ‘social need’, a need for ‘innovation’ or a need for ‘greater choice and diversity’. It also says that a free school would be considered if it could demonstrate ‘significant’ demand from parents.

Criteria had previously been based on addressing a shortage of school places in an area, or low standards.

Sarah Pearson, Interim Director of NSN said: “We are very pleased to see the changes made in the DfE’s guidance. They underscore the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the free schools programme offers a real opportunity for new providers – from teachers and schools to community groups and charities – to create the new schools that parents, pupils and local communities so sorely want and need.

“We have already seen record numbers of free school groups applying this year, and these changes will broaden the appeal of free schools even more.”

Others however have criticised the new guidance. Henry Stewart told Schools Week: “Too many free schools have been established where there is no need for places, while other areas which do need places can’t get the schools they need. If we’ve got limited resources, we need to be making sure they are targeted where they’re most needed.”

The new guidance will come into effect in September and will apply to wave 12 applications, which due by September 28.