Johnson promises thousands more good school places

Boris Johnson has pledged to create thousands more good school places as the Prime Minister unveiled a new drive for the next wave of free schools.

Claiming that the new free schools will drive up education standards, the schools will build on the successes of more than 500 free schools that have opened since 2010 and already created more than 133,000 school places across the country.

Figures show that more than 40 per cent of free schools are in the 30 per cent most deprived communities in the country and 18 per cent of all free schools are dedicated to special needs or alternative provision.

The latest round of applications for the free schools programme is leaning towards parts of the country that have not previously benefited, as well as alternative provision and special schools.

Johnson said: “Every child should have access to a good school place, no matter their background or where they live. Free schools help to ensure children are getting the best education possible – offering exceptional teaching, encouraging strong discipline and providing families with more choices.

“I want to see even more of these excellent schools open, particularly in areas most in need of more good and outstanding school places. This government is committed to investing in our children’s futures. Not only are we improving education standards with new free schools, but we’re also levelling up funding across the entire country and increasing funding per pupil in primary and secondary schools.”

Free schools are new schools set up by parents, teachers, charities, academy sponsors and existing schools in response to demand from the local community. There are now over 500 open free schools nationwide, with more than 220 set to open in the coming years.