Secretary of State for Education (): Education is at
the heart of the Government's mission to break down barriers to
opportunity and give every young person the best start in life,
no matter their background. This Government is determined to
drive high and rising education standards for children across the
country. We can only achieve this by making sure government
funding is targeted where it is most needed.
Under the last administration, substantial funds were allocated
to the free schools programme, often resulting in surpluses in
school capacity. The National Audit Office set out in 2017 that
of the 113,500 new places in mainstream free schools due by 2021,
an estimated 57,500 amounted to spare capacity in the new
schools' local area. Not only is this poor value for money, the
oversupply of places can be detrimental to the other, more
established schools in that area - who might lose pupils, as well
as teachers, to their new competitor.
Meanwhile, in the fourteen years since the cancellation of the
Building Schools for the Future programme, some of this funding
could have been put to better use improving the deteriorating
condition of our existing schools and colleges. We do not
underestimate the scale of the challenge that we have inherited
and this will not be a quick fix.
I have therefore asked officials to review the mainstream free
schools planned by the last government, that have not yet opened.
We will look at whether they will meet a need for places in their
local area and offer value for taxpayers' money. We will also
take into account whether projects would provide a distinctive
curriculum and any impact on existing local providers. Officials
will work with local authorities and academy trusts to take this
work forward over the autumn and will write to them now, setting
out next steps in relation to individual projects. There are 44
centrally delivered, mainstream projects where we will engage
with local authorities and trusts to review whether the school
should open. More detail on schools in scope of the review will
be provided in due course.
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. We also value the role of academy
trusts within the school system. Strong trusts use their
collaboration and leadership to deliver exceptional results for
children and young people, including those in disadvantaged
areas. Academy trusts will continue to have a crucial role in our
mission to break down the barriers to opportunity.
We are setting this out now, so that we can work transparently
and openly with trusts and local authorities as we undertake this
important work.
The review announced today will only examine mainstream free
school projects that were approved by central government. It does
not include those being delivered through competitions run by
local authorities, which will continue as planned.
The government is clear it wants to make sure all children with
special educational needs and disabilities receive the support
they need to achieve and thrive. That is why the manifesto set
out a clear ambition to improve inclusivity and expertise in
mainstream schools, while ensuring that special schools cater for
children with the most complex needs.
Work to deliver special and alternative provision free schools is
continuing. As with all government investment, special and
alternative provision free school projects will be subject to
value for money consideration through their development, in line
with the government's vision for the special educational needs
system.
Access to high-quality school places that enable all children to
achieve and thrive, including those who are disadvantaged and
those with SEND, is fundamental in delivering our mission to
break down the barriers to opportunity.
