Guidance

Apply to open a special free school

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

From:
Department for Education
Published
13 November 2013
Last updated
2126 OctoberAugust 2022 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

How to apply to set up a special free school (for local authorities)

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How to apply to open a special free school in Bury (for proposer groups)

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Details

ApplicationsLocal authorities wishing to openapply for a new special free school closedin ontheir 21area, October 2022.should:

If

  • read youthe submittedguidance youron applicationhow formsto correctlyapply to fs.applications@education.gov.uk,set youup shoulda getspecial anfree acknowledgementschool email(for withinlocal 5authorities)
  • complete workingthe daysapplication ofand thespecification closingforms date.

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  • submit the publishedcompleted criteria.application We’lland announcespecification theforms successfulvia localemail authoritiesto infs.applications@education.gov.uk earlyby 2022.

    midday on Friday 21 October 2022

We’llWe thenare seekalso seeking applications to run the new pre-approved special free schoolsschool in theBury. successfulProposer localgroups authority areas.must:

Applications

  • read the guidance on how to runapply theto newset pre-approvedup a special free school in BuryBury, closedin onresponse 21to Octoberthe 2022.

    local authority’s specification

If

  • complete youthe submittedapplication yourforms which were sent via email upon completion of the mandatory pre-registration (which closed on 11 July)
  • submit the completed application forms correctlyvia email to fs.applications@education.gov.uk, youby shouldmidday geton anFriday acknowledgement21 emailOctober within2022

    • If 5you workingdid daysnot ofcomplete the closingpre-registration, date.

    Applicationswhich successfullyclosed submittedon by11 theJuly deadline2022, you will now be assessed.unable We’llto invitesubmit thean groupsapplication withfor thea strongestnew applicationsspecial tofree interview.school in this wave.

    Published 13 November 2013
    Last updated 2126 OctoberAugust 2022 + show all updates

    1. Updated to reflect that applications closed at midday on 21 October 2022.

    2. Removed the link to the pre-registration form as it closed on 11 July and added the deadline for submitting completed applications. Updated the key dates section in 'How to apply to set up a special free school (for local authorities)' to reflect the extended deadlines for stage 2.

    3. Added guidance and a link to a pre-registration for local authorities to apply for a new special free school in their area. We have also added guidance for proposer groups applying to run the new pre-approved special free school in Bury.

    4. Added link to the competition for special free schools in Bromley and amended the deadline for applications to the Bromley competition to 13 November 2020.

    5. Added application guidance and forms to apply to open special free schools in Bromley and Shropshire.

    6. Applications have now closed.

    7. Added links to each local authority's specification.

    8. Added guidance and application forms for proposer groups applying to open and run a special or alternative provision free school.

    9. Removed the reference to the number of bids we will approve, following the announcement yesterday that we will no longer cap the number of bids.

    10. Added 'Specification for special or alternative provision free school bids' and 'Form for special or alternative provision free school bids'.

    11. Updated the guidance and criteria document and removed old forms and guidance.

    12. Added application forms and assessment criteria for wave 12.

    13. Updated assessment criteria and application forms.

    14. Updated documents with wave 10 information.

    15. Documents updated in preparation for Wave 9 applications.

    16. Updated 'Special free school application form: sections C to F'.

    17. Added updated 'Special free school application form: sections C to F'.

    18. Updated downloads for sections A,B,H and C F

    19. Updated 'Special free school application: criteria for assessment' document.

    20. Added financial template to help groups opening a special free school plan their budget.

    21. Updated with wave 8 information.

    22. Updated documents for wave 7 application.

    23. First published.