As reported by the Guardian, The government has halted the opening of 44 new state schools, including Eton-backed sixth forms, to review demand and value for money
Ministers have paused plans to open 44 new state schools in England, including three sixth-form colleges backed by Eton, while they review each school’s potential demand and value for money.
The decision will affect mainstream secondary and primary schools that were approved by the previous government using its “free school” application process, introduced by Michael Gove in 2010.
Bridget Phillipson told parliament that she has asked officials to review the schools that had been approved but had not yet opened, excluding new special schools and alternative provision.
The Department for Education said more details on the school projects affected and the scope of the review would be published “in due course”.
Under the previous government, the free school programme was to approve proposals to open new schools in areas of perceived need. Initially, several schools were proposed by community groups or organisations, but the vast majority of applications have come from existing academy trusts looking to expand.
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