Guidance: Free schools: how to apply

Guidance and example forms for proposers looking to set up new mainstream free schools.

Documents

Wave 14 map: estimated primary places needed

PDF, 11.1MB, 1 page

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Wave 14 map: estimated secondary places needed

PDF, 12.2MB, 1 page

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Details

The Department for Education is looking to open new mainstream free schools in areas that currently have the lowest standards and where there is also a need for additional school places.

The ‘how to apply’ guidance explains the criteria that applications received in wave 14 will be assessed against.

The deadline for submitting an application in wave 14 has been extended to midday on 11 November 2019.

Further information on applications for wave 14 will be available shortly.

More information on opening a free school is available.

Contact the New Schools Network if you need more advice on how to set up a free school.

Published 22 December 2015
Last updated 22 July 2019 + show all updates

1. 22 July 2019 Updated document ‘How to apply to set up a mainstream free school’ and deadline for submitting wave 14 applications.
2. 4 April 2019 Updated wave 14 maps for primary and secondary places.
3. 31 January 2019 Updated application guidance and associated documents for the latest wave (14) of the free schools programme.
4. 1 October 2018 Registration for creating a new free school as part of wave 13 closed.
5. 18 July 2018 Pre-application deadline updated from 6 September 2018 to 1 October 2018.
6. 18 June 2018 Updated the deadline text and added a new version of ‘How to apply to set up a mainstream free school: guidance’. Added new version of ‘ Application form notes (for information only)’.
7. 11 May 2018 Updated application guidance and associated documents for the latest wave (13) of the free schools programme.
8. 29 July 2016 Updated guide with information for wave 12.
9. 22 December 2015 First published.