The government has announced the latest round of free school approvals and has confirmed the September opening of some long-anticipated new schools, including a new performing arts school in Liverpool spearheaded by Sir Paul McCartney. The news is likely to be welcomed by relocating families struggling to find good school places in their new location.

What are free schools?

Free schools can be set up by parents, teachers, charities, businesses, cultural and sporting bodies, community groups, academy trusts and sponsors, and existing schools in response to demand from the local community, either where there is a shortage of places or where the parents are not happy with the places on offer.Justine Greening, Education Secretary, has announced that 77 new free schools have been rubber-stamped by the Department for Education in the latest round of approvals. Meanwhile, 56 previously approved new schools opened their doors for the new school term.This announcement follows Prime Minister Theresa May’s speech in which she outlined the government’s plans to bring back grammar schools and demand the deeper involvement of top-performing schools, including from the independent sector, and universities to raise standards in state schools across the country. The schools approved this month include a parent-led special school for children with autism and a secondary school launched by the rugby Premiership champions and European Cup winners, Saracens.

Greater school choice for relocating families?

According to Justine Greening, the new free schools will help to contribute to a greater choice and increase the number of “good school places for children”.“This next wave of free schools means more options for parents so they can choose a place that really works for their child’s talents and needs,” she said. “Alongside the reforms announced last week, this will build on the progress that has seen 1.4 million more children in ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ schools than in 2010. This will help deliver the true meritocracy the Prime Minister has pledged to create.”

Harnessing the power of sport in schools

The Saracens High School, a new secondary school for Barnet in London, is the result of a partnership between rugby Premiership and European Cup winners, Saracens, and Ashmole Academy, an Ofsted-rated ‘outstanding’ secondary school.Commenting on the government approval of the new school, Nigel Wray, Chairman, Saracens Rugby Club, said, “At the Saracens High School we will combine our sporting beliefs to create a unique school environment where every individual student matters, academic achievement is important and a real emphasis is placed on teamwork and the creation of great memories. The hard work starts from this point.”Also opening this month is The Beacon of Light free school from the Foundation of Light trust, the charitable arm of Sunderland football club. The school intends to use “the power of football and sport to re-engage young people”, mostly for 13–16 year olds, and those at risk of exclusion from mainstream schooling.

Sir Paul McCartney spearheads new performing arts school

The much anticipated Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) 6th Form opened its doors this September. Sir Paul McCartney is the patron of this new performing arts college in central Liverpool. Catering for 16–19 year olds, the school promises to offer a creative and performing arts-focused education, developing performing arts abilities alongside skills in literacy and numeracy

A new academy for autism

Cumbria Academy for Autism, a new special school led by a group of local parents of autistic children, has been approved this month. The school has pledged to focus on the development of life and vocational skills alongside academic learning to ensure more local children with autism get the specialist help and support they deserve.There are currently 429 open free schools and 236 institutions working towards opening their doors to new pupils. The government has set itself a target of opening 500 new free schools by 2020.

For more information on recent reforms in the English education system, look out for the Autumn 2016 issue of Relocate magazine.

Relocate Global: Helping families make school choices

Relocate Global’s new annual Guide to International Education & Schools provides a wealth of advice to anyone searching for a new school in the UK and in an international setting, and offers insights into what it takes to make the right school choice. 

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