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Free school 2012 applications reach 281 Free school 2012 applications reach 281
(about 1 hour later)
There have been 281 bids to open free schools in England in the second round of applications, the Department for Education has said.There have been 281 bids to open free schools in England in the second round of applications, the Department for Education has said.
It follows 323 applications made in the first round, of which 10-20 are expected to open in September. It follows 323 applications made in the first round, of which more than 12 are expected to open in September.
The government says free schools, set up by parents, teachers and other groups, will increase provision and drive up standards.The government says free schools, set up by parents, teachers and other groups, will increase provision and drive up standards.
But critics say they draw resources away from wider state education.But critics say they draw resources away from wider state education.
Free schools are founded as academy schools, funded directly by central government, and outside the control of local authorities.Free schools are founded as academy schools, funded directly by central government, and outside the control of local authorities.
Proposers include community groups, charities, businesses, universities, trusts and religious and voluntary bodies.Proposers include community groups, charities, businesses, universities, trusts and religious and voluntary bodies.
The second round of applications includes proposals for 37 university technical colleges (UTCs).The second round of applications includes proposals for 37 university technical colleges (UTCs).
These are secondary schools sponsored by universities and local employers, which have a focus on developing vocational and technical skills alongside traditional academic disciplines.These are secondary schools sponsored by universities and local employers, which have a focus on developing vocational and technical skills alongside traditional academic disciplines.
The second round of applications to set up free schools were received by the Department for Education between 17 March and 15 June.The second round of applications to set up free schools were received by the Department for Education between 17 March and 15 June.
Of the 281 bids, 227 were for mainstream schools, 20 for schools for children with special educational needs, and 34 for alternative provision schools, such as pupil referral units.Of the 281 bids, 227 were for mainstream schools, 20 for schools for children with special educational needs, and 34 for alternative provision schools, such as pupil referral units.
Of the 227 mainstream applications, 56% were from local groups, with 18% from independent schools wishing to move into the state sector, and 5% from groups that already run existing academy schools.Of the 227 mainstream applications, 56% were from local groups, with 18% from independent schools wishing to move into the state sector, and 5% from groups that already run existing academy schools.
The proportion of faith school applications dropped from 49% last year to 29% this year.The proportion of faith school applications dropped from 49% last year to 29% this year.
The successful bidders will be announced in September.The successful bidders will be announced in September.
'Ending rationing''Ending rationing'
Speaking at the Policy Exchange, Education Secretary Michael Gove said there had been "no drop-off in momentum" in applications.Speaking at the Policy Exchange, Education Secretary Michael Gove said there had been "no drop-off in momentum" in applications.
He said it was "remarkable" the first free schools were due to open in September 2012. He said it was "remarkable" that "over a dozen" free schools were due to open this year.
"Before the election, countless people told me that it was foolish to expect any free schools at all to open in September 2011. But we proved them wrong.""Before the election, countless people told me that it was foolish to expect any free schools at all to open in September 2011. But we proved them wrong."
"We are not being prescriptive about free schools and so they come in all shapes and sizes," he said."We are not being prescriptive about free schools and so they come in all shapes and sizes," he said.
Some were housed in existing schools, while others would be in adapted buildings including a former library in London and an office building in Norwich, he said.Some were housed in existing schools, while others would be in adapted buildings including a former library in London and an office building in Norwich, he said.
The government had also made the application process "more rigorous", he said, and introduced interviews for applicants.The government had also made the application process "more rigorous", he said, and introduced interviews for applicants.
"We are absolutely determined to ensure that no one who has an extremist agenda - whether it's politically or religiously extremist - has access to public money," he added, saying a team had been set up to vet applicants."We are absolutely determined to ensure that no one who has an extremist agenda - whether it's politically or religiously extremist - has access to public money," he added, saying a team had been set up to vet applicants.
Mr Gove said about a third of the free schools aiming to open in September were located in the most deprived 20% of the country.Mr Gove said about a third of the free schools aiming to open in September were located in the most deprived 20% of the country.
The Department for Education says that the number of new applications is in line with expectations.The Department for Education says that the number of new applications is in line with expectations.
The first application window ran from 18 June 2010 to 11 February of this year.The first application window ran from 18 June 2010 to 11 February of this year.
Shadow education secretary, Labour's Andy Burnham said Mr Gove was "pouring time, energy and resources into a free schools programme which will be irrelevant for most parents, and is diverting funding out of mainstream schools into wealthier areas".Shadow education secretary, Labour's Andy Burnham said Mr Gove was "pouring time, energy and resources into a free schools programme which will be irrelevant for most parents, and is diverting funding out of mainstream schools into wealthier areas".
"Michael Gove tells us that setting up new schools in this way - including removing requirements to employ qualified teachers - will improve standards, but similar reforms in Sweden led to falling standards and rising social segregation," he added."Michael Gove tells us that setting up new schools in this way - including removing requirements to employ qualified teachers - will improve standards, but similar reforms in Sweden led to falling standards and rising social segregation," he added.