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

Oversubscription equals Free Schools success?

Oversubscription equals free schools success?

12 April 2013

The DfE have released figures which show that almost nine out of ten free schools receive more applications than available places. Free schools are state-funded schools set up by parents or other groups, independent of local council control with the aim of responding to demand from local parents.

The DfE have argued that the figures showed “how popular free schools are with parents”. Critics would argue, however, that merely assessing application data fails to take account of the full picture. The National Union of Teachers have recently reported that new free schools are opening in areas with a surplus of places, consequently damaging existing schools by drawing away pupils and threatening the viability of services.

Whilst the figures are encouraging, they cannot be seen as a full and objective assessment on the impact of free schools which should also take account of the effect of education in the local communities they are established as a whole.

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

Mailing list sign up

Select which mailings you would like to receive from us.

Sign up