Last updated: 29 August 2023
Next review: 29 August 2024
The Education Act 2011, sets out the legal framework for the creation of 'Free Schools'.
The Department for Education (DfE) defines Free Schools as:
"All-ability state-funded schools set up in response to what local people say they want and need in order to improve education for children in their community."
On this page we refer to individuals or groups who are considering applying, or are in the process of applying, to set up a free school as “groups looking to set up a new school”.