Low take-up hits Gove's high hopes for free schools initiative
Joe Lepper
Monday, September 6, 2010
Education Secretary Michael Gove has admitted that only 16 free schools could be ready to launch next year.
The government claimed it had received 700 expressions of interest to set up free schools. But in a statement today, Gove said that just 16 would be ready to launch in September next year.
The statement also noted that even this small number may be an ambitious target for 2011. "This is a challenging timescale and some groups may decide that it is preferable to open at a later date for practical reasons," Gove added.
The 16 projects, which Gove agreed to move forward to the stage of presenting a full business case to government, are for both secondary and primary schools. Gove said those proposing free school status include parents, community groups, teachers and faith groups.
Shadow education secretary Ed Balls said the low number of free school proposals was "another embarrassment" for the government’s school reform agenda.
This agenda has also included scrapping the Building Schools for the Future school building initiative and making it easier for schools to set up as academies.
Balls said: "The vast majority of parents just want a well-funded local school with great teaching and do not have the time or the wherewithal to set up their own school."
The proposed free schools include Bedford and Kempston Free School, in Bedford, Discovery New School, West Sussex, and Haringey Jewish Primary School, Haringey.
The statement also noted that even this small number may be an ambitious target for 2011. "This is a challenging timescale and some groups may decide that it is preferable to open at a later date for practical reasons," Gove added.
The 16 projects, which Gove agreed to move forward to the stage of presenting a full business case to government, are for both secondary and primary schools. Gove said those proposing free school status include parents, community groups, teachers and faith groups.
Shadow education secretary Ed Balls said the low number of free school proposals was "another embarrassment" for the government’s school reform agenda.
This agenda has also included scrapping the Building Schools for the Future school building initiative and making it easier for schools to set up as academies.
Balls said: "The vast majority of parents just want a well-funded local school with great teaching and do not have the time or the wherewithal to set up their own school."
The proposed free schools include Bedford and Kempston Free School, in Bedford, Discovery New School, West Sussex, and Haringey Jewish Primary School, Haringey.
