Primaries and secondary approved by the previous government using its ‘free school’ application process were affected by the decision.
While reviewing each school’s potential demand and value for money, ministers have put on hold the plans to open 44 new schools in England.
This decision by the ministers has had negative impacts on the primaries and secondaries that were previously made by the former government using its “free school” application system, which was introduced by Michael Gove in 2010.
The Secretary for Education, Bridget Phillipson, told the parliament that she requested officials to review schools that had been approved and yet to open, with an exception for the new special schools and alternative provisions.
Philipson stated: “We will look at whether [the schools] meet a need for places in their local area and offer value for taxpayers’ money. We will also consider whether projects would provide a distinctive curriculum and any impact on existing local providers.
“Our priority is to ensure children thrive in education, whatever type of school they are in – including free schools. Capacity varies from place to place, so we will continue to open new schools where they are needed.”
According to the Department for Education, more details of the scope of the review and the school projects affected would be released “in due course”.
Three sixth forms proposed as a partnership between the Star Academies trust and Eton College in Dudley, Middlesbrough and Oldham, with their opening for late 2026, are among those in the pipeline.
The partnership spokesperson stated: “Eton and Star are totally committed to the Eton Star partnership in the long term and its vision of working to improve social mobility for young people across the country. We have a number of exciting projects in the pipeline.”
The Education Secretary noted that several free schools launched by the Conservatives led to a waste of funds, as cited by the National Audit Office, and that the mainstream free schools’ openings between 2015 and 2021 would create 57,500 vacant spots.
Philipson recommended that any savings be put towards “improving the deteriorating condition of our existing schools and colleges”.
The free school programme under the previous government was to approve proposals to open new schools in areas of perceived need. Initially, many schools were proposed by community groups or organisations, but the vast majority of applications have come from existing academy trusts looking to expand.
Student numbers in England are expected to shrink by 12% in the next decade, mainly because of the declining birthrate. As a result, local authorities in London and other parts of the nation are more concerned with locking down primary schools than launching new ones.
Chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, Leora Cruddas, stated: “We know this is frustrating for school trusts who have typically put years of work into the application process. However, it is important to note that this is a review of the 44 centrally delivered, mainstream projects. We need to understand more about the review process.”
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