The shortcomings of free schools

As a long-standing senior education officer*, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government plans to convert schools into academies raise few significant concerns, provided we make sure there is a system for fair admissions and exclusions. But proposals to allow a free-for-all on starting up so-called free schools worry me deeply.

At present, schools appoint their own staff, decide how much they should be paid, make decisions about their buildings and decide their own curriculum. All schools, including the smallest primaries, are effectively autonomous bodies, managed by their head teacher, reporting to a governing body. There is a variety of local and national guidance, but, within some fairly broad parameters, schools have autonomy of operation without much constraint. There are a few limitations on complete autonomy and local authorities have only rarely removed powers from a school.