Seven new special free schools set to be built

Seven new special free schools have been selected to be built alongside the existing 83 already committed to opening, located across England from Devon to Darlington.

Once complete, this investment will more than double the number of special free school places available across the country – from around 8,500 to 19,000 – ensuring all children receive a quality education, tailored to their needs.

The seven free schools will be in Cambridgeshire, Kent, Merton and Norfolk.

Free schools are funded by the government but are not run by the local authority, instead, they are run by other organisations - most commonly academy trusts - but also industry and universities. They have greater freedom to innovate and drive up standards, for example more autonomy over the teachers’ pay and their curriculum.

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