0370 270 6000

Search

Search Mobile

collapse

already registered?

Please sign in with your existing account details.

Email address

Password

Sign in with LinkedIn

need to register?

Register to access exclusive content, sign up to receive our updates and personalise your experience on brownejacobson.com.

Privacy statement - Terms and conditions

Register with LinkedIn

Forgotten your password?

collapseSign

Browne Jacobson home

Home

Insights

Blogs

Free Schools – missing the target?

Free schools – missing the target?

13 July 2012

The debate over the introduction of free schools continues with new reports that the system of approving proposals is not adequately targeting areas where new schools and new ideas are required. The reports suggest that with free schools being proposed where there are already sufficient school places or where there is insufficient community support for another school, the free schools programme is missing its primary aim – to close the attainment gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” through new schools being created by parents and other groups within that community.

Whilst there is much to be said for the government’s “less is more” approach to red tape and bureaucracy, here it is only leading to more negative comments on the free schools programme. Clear guidelines on what may constitute a worthwhile proposal can only assist in providing a better understanding of the programme and its aims for all stakeholders, including those who wish to propose a school.

Related opinions

Head of Education, Mark Blois celebrates 25 years of being an education lawyer

Mark Blois, Browne Jacobson’s national Head of Education, is marking a notable anniversary, an incredible 25 years as an education lawyer.

Be wary of events post-dating the presentation of an Employment Tribunal claim

In Sakyi-Opare v Albert Kennedy Trust, the EAT held that an Employment Tribunal erred in deciding a claim was out of time because it did not first consider the claimant’s application to amend her claim, which included events that post-dated her claim.

A level results: what this means for schools and higher education?

This year’s A Level results have been a resounding success and demonstrate the commitment and resilience of students, schools and school staff during these unprecedented times. However, there will inevitably be some students who are disappointed with the teacher assessed grade.

Does the move into Step 4 mean the ending of Covid-19 restrictions within schools?

With the Prime Ministers announcement that he intends for Step 4 to begin on 19 July, this will also bring an end to the restrictions currently in place on education settings.

View all blogs

Richard Freeth

Partner

Mailing list sign up

Select which mailings you would like to receive from us.

Sign up