free schools | Schools Week

31 New Free Schools: The Complete List

Prime minister David Cameron has just announced the approval of 31 new free schools, the last wave under his premiership. If you want the full story, go here. Otherwise, here is the full list… Alconbury Weald Church Academy, Cambridgeshire Ashlawn Free School, Warwickshire Aspire Primary Academy, Newquay Chatteris Free School, Cambridgeshire City of London Academy, Downs […]

Cameron unveils 31 new free schools on last visit as PM – but details are thin

David Cameron has unveiled the latest wave of approved free school applications, in one of his final acts as prime minister. Of the 31 new projects, which were officially unveiled by Cameron in his last official visit as prime minister at Reach Academy in Feltham this afternoon, 24 are being set up by existing schools or […]

Church of England plans 125 new free schools under ‘bold’ expansion

The number of Church of England (CofE) free schools is set to increase by more than 10-fold under new proposals that would see the church open a quarter of the government’s planned free schools over the next four years. The church’s “vision for education” was unveiled at the general synod this weekend, with a report […]

Plagued free school move delayed again

A free school plagued with problems at its proposed new site next to an airfield – including asbestos and the threat of unexploded bombs – is delaying its move for a second time. Parkfield school already postponed moving into new buildings at the former national air traffic control training centre next to Bournemouth airport. Parents […]

European free school nervously awaits Morgan exam approval

The country’s only European-branded state school is at risk of not being able to offer its flagship qualification following an administrative foul-up. Europa School UK (ESUK), based in Culham, Oxfordshire, has written to prime minister David Cameron, to request official confirmation that students can sit the European baccalaureate (EB) when they transfer from an existing European […]

Free schools boss to run Theresa May’s campaign

New Schools Network director Nick Timothy is taking a break from his role to run Theresa May’s campaign for the Conservative leadership, Schools Week can reveal. The organisation, one of the leading advocates of the free schools movement, has confirmed that Timothy, a former adviser and chief of staff to the home secretary, has been allowed […]

EXCLUSIVE: Swedish-inspired Learning Schools Trust can’t keep up

An academy trust at the forefront of the Swedish free school model much admired by Michael Gove will wind up later this year, Schools Week can reveal. The Learning Schools Trust was set up in 2010 as the UK charitable arm of Kunskapsskolan, a private firm that runs schools in Sweden. One of the first […]

What would a remain vote mean for education?

What would a Remain vote mean for the Department for Education and schools? Schools Week asked Amy Finch for her predictions In the event of Remain, it will be business as usual for most of the government. The prime minister will continue to drive his “life chances” strategy, and the chancellor will push forward on […]

Labour leadership contender Liz Kendall supports free schools

Labour leadership contender Liz Kendall has said she supports free schools – in contrast to previous Labour policy. Appearing at a Parliamentary Press Gallery lunch, Ms Kendall said she would support any type of school providing its pupils with a “great education”. She said: “As leader, I’m not going to waste time obsessing about school […]