Fadmissions 101
Free School
A type of state-funded academy set up by parent, teacher or community groups, free of local authority control.
A free school is a state-funded academy set up by parent groups, charities, businesses, faith groups or universities, free of local-authority control.
Free schools were introduced in 2010. They:
- Are funded directly by central government
- Are free to attend
- Have the same flexibilities as academies (curriculum, staffing, term dates)
- Are inspected by Ofsted on the same cycle as other state schools
The original free-school programme was about responding to local demand for new schools - many free schools opened in areas with a shortage of places. Newer free schools include specialist maths schools and specialist studio schools focused on technical subjects.
For a parent, a free school behaves much like any other academy at admissions time. Check the school’s own admissions policy and oversubscription criteria.