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Free school 2012 applications reach 281 | Free school 2012 applications reach 281 |
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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 more than 12 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. |
Nearly a third - 81 - of the applications were for schools in London. | |
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" that "over a dozen" free schools were due to open this year. | 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. |