Flagship free school that cost £35m closes due to lack of pupils
Government funded Parkfield, in Dorset, after ‘unbelievable’ lack of due diligence, says expert
September 2023
Tories put children at risk by pursuing their free schools obsession – and I have the figures to prove it
Warwick Mansell
Scrutiny of government spending shows how money was diverted into building free schools rather than the upkeep of existing ones, says writer and author Warwick Mansell
How austerity (and ideology) broke Britain
This endless week of crumbling schools, poor public services and collapsing council finances has been 13 years in the making – and even loyal Tories now know the game is up
UK government did not carry out detailed surveys before it bought free schools sites
Freedom of information requests show such was haste to open new schools unsuitable buildings were purchased without checks for asbestos or concrete
June 2023
My school is getting creative with a private partnership for its arts provision
Letter: The head of a state school describes how his students are teaming up with their counterparts at a nearby private school
July 2022
Rishi Sunak’s ‘bizarre’ ties to rightwing libertarians highlighted by Labour
Judgment questioned over years spent as director of east London free school later criticised for ‘improper’ practices
March 2022
Headteacher defends plan for free ‘Etons of the north’ sixth forms
Eton head says rigorous admissions policy will prevent middle-class parents from gaming the system
May 2021
Our school is proud to be part of a local community in Peckham
Letters: Sonia Case and James MacLeod of the Belham primary school in south London respond to an article on free schools
February 2021
Michael Gove's free schools at 10: the most successful policy since the war – or a costly mistake?
Ten years ago the first free schools opened with fanfare and a promise to innovation and outstanding results. But it hasn’t quite turned out that way
September 2020
Sir, can I go and play in the mud kitchen? The fun-filled school with luxury flats attached
Nepotism, fraud, waste and cheating ... welcome to England's school system
August 2020
'Drill and kill' for England's state schools while private sector goes progressive
As ministers persist with traditional teaching, including children sitting in rows, independent schools have switched to team and project-based learning
June 2020
Steiner schools chief: what my time in prisons taught me about the UK's education mistakes
Fran Russell, former jail inspector, says the government is wrong to dismiss the Steiner movement to run state schools
February 2020
‘It’s scandalous’: when free schools shut for want of a permanent home
Greenwich academy is latest to close – and angry parents say it should never have been allowed to open
December 2019
Academies and free schools underperform in Sats, figures show
Government sees conversion to academy status as key method of school improvement
October 2019
Pupils with behavioural issues failing to meet exam benchmark
Just 1.5% with behaviour issues got grade 4s or higher in the subjects, according to data
September 2019
Letter from a curious parent
Dear Gavin Williamson, outsourcing excluded pupils to new free schools won’t help
Michael Rosen
The private school system is ‘morally rotten’. This could be the moment for its downfall
Melissa Benn
August 2019
England school places shortage 'made worse by academies'
Controversial Michaela free school delights in GCSE success
