Guidance and regulation

Sets out the process to apply to set up a new special free school.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 26 March 2024

• How to apply to open a special free school

  This guidance is for proposer groups interested in applying to run a…

• Local authority specifications

  This list includes the local authority specifications for the latest…

Guidance for proposers looking to set up new mainstream free schools. This includes 16 to 19 free schools.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 22 August 2023

• How to apply to set up a mainstream free school

  Introduction This guidance is for applicants seeking to open a new…

Guidance on establishing new schools through the free school presumption route, and the qualities new school proposers must demonstrate.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 29 September 2023

Guidance for partnerships seeking to establish a new alternative provision (AP) free school.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 6 March 2024

The processes proposer groups will need to follow and the resources they can use to open successfully.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 31 October 2023

Information for maths schools proposer groups with an approved business case. Includes legal requirements and tasks you must complete.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 30 July 2019

A DfE film including interviews and footage of innovative practice in the classroom.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 11 July 2014

First published during the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

A guide giving an overview of the planning system for those considering opening a free school.

• From: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and 1 others
• Updated: 5 January 2015

Sets out the process to apply to set up a new primary free school in Kingston upon Thames.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 4 January 2023

Sets out the process to apply to open a new special free school.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 23 August 2023