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Free schools: David Cameron pledges 500 more by 2020 Free schools: David Cameron pledges 500 more by 2020
(about 1 hour later)
A further 500 free schools would be opened in England in the next five years under a Conservative government, David Cameron will pledge.A further 500 free schools would be opened in England in the next five years under a Conservative government, David Cameron will pledge.
He will commit to creating an extra 270,000 school places in free schools, if re-elected, by 2020.He will commit to creating an extra 270,000 school places in free schools, if re-elected, by 2020.
The prime minister says these state-funded, start-up schools are "raising standards and restoring discipline".The prime minister says these state-funded, start-up schools are "raising standards and restoring discipline".
Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt says free schools lead to school places where they are not needed.Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt says free schools lead to school places where they are not needed.
Speaking in London, Mr Cameron will set out the details of the final wave of 49 free schools agreed for the current Parliament, and then promise an expansion if re-elected in May's general election.Speaking in London, Mr Cameron will set out the details of the final wave of 49 free schools agreed for the current Parliament, and then promise an expansion if re-elected in May's general election.
'Raising performance''Raising performance'
Free schools, both primary and secondary, are set up by academy sponsors, charities, teachers and groups of parents, and operate outside local authority control. Academy sponsors include faith groups, universities and companies.Free schools, both primary and secondary, are set up by academy sponsors, charities, teachers and groups of parents, and operate outside local authority control. Academy sponsors include faith groups, universities and companies.
With the free schools being announced later, there will be more than 400 already opened or approved, with 230,000 places.With the free schools being announced later, there will be more than 400 already opened or approved, with 230,000 places.
But the policy has been controversial because there is no local strategic oversight of where these schools open, and some have opened in areas where there are already enough school places.But the policy has been controversial because there is no local strategic oversight of where these schools open, and some have opened in areas where there are already enough school places.
Equally some local authorities in areas where new schools are needed have struggled to find groups to open free schools.Equally some local authorities in areas where new schools are needed have struggled to find groups to open free schools.
Analysis
By Hannah Richardson, education reporter, BBC News website
Arguably one of the most controversial of the coalition's education policies, the free school programme is much more than giving parents and teachers the right to set up their own schools.
The complexities of running a school mean many of these new state-funded, but independently-run, schools are actually led by academy chains and education companies.
And the crucial rule that any new school, even in school-place squeeze areas, has to be a free school or academy, has led to an impasse in school-place planning in some districts.
Indeed, some local councils have struggled to find organisations to set up schools where they are needed.
The government cites figures suggesting 70% of inspected free schools are rated good or outstanding.
And supporters argue free schools offer choice and quality, as well as new school places, and drive up standards in other schools as a result.
But with a handful of high-profile cases of free schools failing within months of opening, question marks have been left hanging over these claims.
Mr Cameron will say that the Conservatives are the "only party that's opening up the education system so we can get more good places for your children".Mr Cameron will say that the Conservatives are the "only party that's opening up the education system so we can get more good places for your children".
He will say that free schools "are not only outperforming other schools, but they are raising the performance of those around them, meaning more opportunities for children to learn the skills they need to get on in life".He will say that free schools "are not only outperforming other schools, but they are raising the performance of those around them, meaning more opportunities for children to learn the skills they need to get on in life".
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that 70% of inspected free schools had been rated good or outstanding. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that free schools were a "huge success story".
When questioned about the impact of free schools on neighbouring schools and whether it justified their expansion, she said free schools were a "huge success story".
"We know from our own evidence that 72% of free school heads say they are having a positive impact on local schools in their area, they are driving up standards and they are giving parents more choice about having a great local school in their area," she said."We know from our own evidence that 72% of free school heads say they are having a positive impact on local schools in their area, they are driving up standards and they are giving parents more choice about having a great local school in their area," she said.
If Conservative plans went ahead, more than one in 30 state schools would be free schools by the end of the next Parliament.If Conservative plans went ahead, more than one in 30 state schools would be free schools by the end of the next Parliament.
The Labour Party has promised to cancel the free schools programme, saying that it diverts funds away from creating extra places where there is the greatest shortage.The Labour Party has promised to cancel the free schools programme, saying that it diverts funds away from creating extra places where there is the greatest shortage.
"Instead of focusing on the need for more primary school places, David Cameron's government has spent £241m on free schools in areas that already have enough school places," said shadow education secretary Mr Hunt."Instead of focusing on the need for more primary school places, David Cameron's government has spent £241m on free schools in areas that already have enough school places," said shadow education secretary Mr Hunt.
"The result is a 200% increase in the number of infants taught in classes of more than 30.""The result is a 200% increase in the number of infants taught in classes of more than 30."
A Liberal Democrat spokesman said the proposal masked the deep cuts the Conservatives were planning for education.A Liberal Democrat spokesman said the proposal masked the deep cuts the Conservatives were planning for education.
"Their scorched-earth policy for public services would mean that funding for nurseries, schools and colleges could be slashed by a quarter by 2020," he said.
'Data mining''Data mining'
Research to be published by the Policy Exchange think tank argues that the extra competition from free schools raises standards among neighbouring schools. Research published by the Policy Exchange think tank suggests the extra competition from free schools raises academic standards in nearby under-performing schools.
The right-wing think tank says if they can offer more choice and raise standards, new free schools should not be confined to areas with a shortage of places. For each of the 171 schools in its study, it looked at exam results in the three "similar" schools that were nearest.
"Parents should be given real choice to set up new schools where they want them and where they can show a real plan for delivering good new provision," said Jonathan Simons, head of education at Policy Exchange. Jonathan Simons, head of education at Policy Exchange, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that lower-performing schools had shown an "association of increased results" over and above the results in the same type of schools which were not near a free school.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that lower-performing schools had shown an "association of increased results" over and above the results in the same type of schools which were not near a free school. However, the report itself acknowledges that the study cannot conclusively prove that any improvement on neighbouring schools is down to the competitive effect of free schools.
But Dr Rebecca Allen, director of think tank Education Datalab, said the sample size was too small. Dr Rebecca Allen, director of think tank Education Datalab, said the sample size was too small.
"When you have really small sample sizes, you should just be looking at main average effect across all neighbouring schools, " she said."When you have really small sample sizes, you should just be looking at main average effect across all neighbouring schools, " she said.
The report also showed mid-to-high performing schools near free schools had "deteriorated" in their performance compared to similar schools nationally, she added. "Everything else just becomes data mining - looking in your data until you find something that suits the position you want to take.
"And on that main average result they [the Policy Exchange] just don't find any impact."
The report showed mid-to-high performing schools near free schools had "deteriorated" in their performance compared to similar schools nationally, she added.
Kevin Courtney, deputy general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said the study revealed that the push for more free schools was not really "parent-led" but was now "dominated" by academy sponsors.Kevin Courtney, deputy general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said the study revealed that the push for more free schools was not really "parent-led" but was now "dominated" by academy sponsors.
Natalie Evans, director of the New Schools Network, which supports the opening of free schools, said free schools encouraged other schools "to raise their game" and should be targeted in all areas.Natalie Evans, director of the New Schools Network, which supports the opening of free schools, said free schools encouraged other schools "to raise their game" and should be targeted in all areas.
The Department for Education said that for the first time, the new wave of free schools would be able to receive capital funding to provide nursery places for two to four year olds.The Department for Education said that for the first time, the new wave of free schools would be able to receive capital funding to provide nursery places for two to four year olds.
Among the new free schools to be announced will be the Green School for Boys in Isleworth and Brentford; the Northampton International Academy; the Great Western Academy, Swindon; the New School for Harrow; Swindon Church of England Secondary School; Cheadle Hulme Primary School, Stockport; and Bishop Chavasse School, Tonbridge, Kent.Among the new free schools to be announced will be the Green School for Boys in Isleworth and Brentford; the Northampton International Academy; the Great Western Academy, Swindon; the New School for Harrow; Swindon Church of England Secondary School; Cheadle Hulme Primary School, Stockport; and Bishop Chavasse School, Tonbridge, Kent.
Do your children currently attend a free school? What do you think of the proposal to add 500 more free schools to the UK's education system? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience. Please include a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.Do your children currently attend a free school? What do you think of the proposal to add 500 more free schools to the UK's education system? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience. Please include a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
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