Between 17 March and 15 June this year, there were 227 applications to open mainstream free schools. Following the government's expansion of the programme there were also 34 applications to open alternative provision such as pupil referral units and 20 bids to open free schools for children with special educational needs.
Of the mainstream free school bids, 81 were for secondary schools; 77 for primary schools; 65 for "all-through" schools; and four for 16 to 19 provision.
The latest round, according to the government, attempted to make the process more rigorous by requiring applicants to submit more detailed forms, which provide evidence of demand from parents and details on how the school will be run.
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