A further 18 new free schools have been announced by the Government bringing the total places created by free schools to date to 236,000. 

They will join the 252 already open and the 52 new free schools opening up their doors as schools head back for the autumn term.

The Government has pledged to open 500 new free schools over the next 5 years in its commitment to “give parents more choice while challenging existing schools to up their game”.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has called on more groups to step forward to open a free school. To help them do that she has committed to streamlining the process for existing high performing schools and encouraging businesses, charities, cultural and sporting bodies to enter the programme.