Free schools in UK

LONDON - A generation of “free schools” in office blocks, churches and libraries could open as early as September 2011 due to the UK Government’s education reform last month.

So far, 16 free schools were approved under plans to meet parental demand in public places. The schools will be state-funded, but run by parents, religious groups, charities and childcare providers.

Labour branded the announcement “laughable”, claiming that the low number of schools showed there was little support for the reform. Free schools posed a “potentially very significant threat to the stability, fairness and viability of our school system”.

But Michael Gove, Education Secretary, said: “We need to reform our education system if we are to accelerate improvement to keep pace with the highest performing systems of the world, and ensure that every pupil gets a better chance of achieving their potential.

“Free schools form an integral part of the Government’s education policy to improve choice for parents and raise standards for all young people.”

Up to 700 organisations have registered an interest in the programme, which is modelled on established schemes in Sweden and America.

The 16 proposed new schools will be required to submit a detailed business plan before given funding.

Ed Balls, the shadow education secretary and Labour leadership candidate, said: “It’s laughable for Michael Gove to claim that just 16 free schools exceed his expectations.

“A couple of months ago, he talked about 700 new free schools and a year ago about thousands. He has spent the last four months working on a plan for just a dozen schools, while cancelling hundreds of new schools and dashing the hopes of 700,000 children.”