In September 2011 the first Free Schools opened in England. 24 free schools are already open and a further 54 have made successful applications to open in wave 2.

Inspired by charter schools in the US and the Free School movement in Sweden, the Coalition Government launched their Free Schools programme soon after it came to power in June 2010.

Free Schools are a type of academy and operate independently of Local Authority control. They are funded in the same way as other academies; by the state on a per pupil basis. The key difference between a Free School and a Converter Academy is that the former is a new school which is set up in response to parental demand.

Proposals to set up Free Schools have been received from a wide range of groups: charities, universities, businesses (on a not-for-profit basis), education groups, independent schools, faith groups, teachers and parents.

Please visit the Free School Kit website here:

http://fsk.partnershipsforschools.org.uk/Default.html