Free schools

Free schools policy has ‘lost its way’, says NSN charity chair

David Ross leads chorus of former Conservative ministers and influential policy leaders pushing for renewed free school focus

Schools Week Reporter
Schools Week Reporter
Academies

DfE green-lights three ‘elite’ Eton Star sixth forms

The free schools in Dudley, Teesside and Oldham are among 15 approved by the government this week

Amy Walker
Amy Walker
Academies

Free schools to open in areas with growing surplus places

Findings 'demonstrate the need for a more coherent system', say council chiefs, but trusts say schools still needed

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Alternative provision

Trusts queue to open alternative provision free schools

The schools form part of the Department for Education’s SEND and AP improvement plan

Samantha Booth
Samantha Booth
Schools

Free school firm with two staff wins potential £70bn net zero deal

The Place Group will help schools buy services to hit emissions targets through a new 'everything net zero' framework

Tom Belger
Tom Belger
Academies

SEND, AP and ‘elite’ sixth forms prioritised in next free schools wave

DfE opens applications for up to 75 free schools with as many as 14,000 places

James Carr
James Carr
Features

Charlotte Pearce Cornish, director, Premier Advisory Group

Charlotte Pearce Cornish’s Premier Advisory Group has just won the contract to support free school applications. She explains how...

Jess Staufenberg
Jess Staufenberg
Academies

New Schools Network to close after losing free schools contract

Charity says its original mission 'has been achieved' as board announces plans to wind up operations

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Academies

New Schools Network loses DfE free schools support contract

Premier Advisory Group will take over DfE-funded free school application support from the NSN after 12 years

Tom Belger
Tom Belger