The Department for Education has published an analysis https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-schools-that-opened-in-2018-impact-assessments on the effect that free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges (UTCs) have had on the local area
The preliminary ratings are independent of one another. Each school has been judged separately, not taking into account the possibility that other local schools might ‘share’ the impact of a new free school.
All impact ratings take the following factors into account (using data available at the time of the impact assessment):
- distance from the proposed free school;
- number of unfilled places (primary, secondary and sixth forms);
- latest Ofsted rating;
- faith designation (for primary, secondary and sixth forms).
Depending on the type of free school being proposed the DfE will also consider other data available before making a final decision on the likely impact of a school on the local area.
As well as 2018’s data https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-schools-that-opened-in-2018-impact-assessments, you can also view the impact assessments for free schools that opened in other years.
