Education Secretary, Michael Gove visited Woodpecker Hall Primary Academy in Edmonton on 7 September 2011. This was the first official opening of a Free School by the Secretary of State.
The Government is increasing opportunity by announcing the opening of the first 24 Free Schools. They are central to the Government’s drive to raise school standards across the country.
Free Schools are funded by the Government but have greater freedoms than local authority-run schools. They are run by teachers – not local councils or Westminster politicians – and have freedom over the length of the school day, the curriculum and how they spend their money.
These schools are opening because of demand from parents for a new or different type of education. Free schools offer a genuine alternative. They offer smaller class sizes, longer hours and higher standards.
Of the first Free Schools:
- 17 are primary schools, five are secondary schools and two are all-age schools.
- Six are faith schools.
- The schools are spread throughout England. They are primarily concentrated in areas of deprivation or areas where there is a need for school places (half of the 24 schools are located in the most deprived 30 per cent of communities in the country).
- Five are set up by teachers, eight are set up by parent or community groups, five are set up by existing education providers, and one by an Academy. Five existing schools will also become Free Schools.
- The first Free Schools will create more than 9,000 new state-funded school places.
- 15 are in areas where there is basic need for school places.
- In total, the first 24 Free Schools are expected to cost between £110m and £130m in capital, to build or renovate.
Education Secretary, Michael Gove, said
These schools offer smaller class sizes, tougher discipline, longer days and higher standards. They give parents more choice. And they force existing schools to raise their game.
Daniel Upfield, headteacher of ARK Atwood Primary Academy, Westminster, London. said
ARK Atwood will have the highest academic aspirations and a caring and family-oriented culture. We believe in the potential of every child who joins the academy and will strive to create a school which provides each pupil with the best possible start in life.
Ayub Ismail, co-founder of Rainbow Primary School, Bradford, said
The Rainbow Primary School would not be here without the support and dedication of parents, stakeholders and the wider community. Now, together, we can focus on transforming our children’s future, developing a truly inclusive, inspirational and dynamic primary school for everyone in Bradford.
Keith Haisman, lead proposer and Chair of Governors at Stour Valley Community School in Suffolk, said
We are delighted that Stour Valley Community School is welcoming 170 pupils when we open in September. As a community focused school in rural West Suffolk, we will be providing an outstanding education to local children, focused on core academic subjects, as well as arts and sports.
The Coalition Government recently announced radical plans to change the school Admissions Code to allow Free Schools and Academies to prioritise the most disadvantaged children (those eligible for Free School Meals) in their school admissions. With children eligible for Free School Meals attracting additional funding through the Coalition’s Pupil Premium – worth £430 per pupil this year – there will be even more incentive for these schools to attract those pupils most in need of the high-quality education they will offer.