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
1618 August 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

How to apply to open a special free school

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Local authority specifications

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Details

This guidance sets out the process for proposer groups applying to set up a new special free school. A list of successful local authority applications is available. It includes the proposed SEND designation for the school.

Lead applicants should:

  • read the guidance on how to apply to open a special free school and your chosen local authority’s school specification and contextual information
  • complete the mandatory pre-registration form between 9am on 9 May 2023 and 5pm on 16 June 2023
  • complete the application forms you receive after completing the mandatory pre-registration
  • submit the completed application forms to fs.applications@education.gov.uk between 9am on 9 May 2023 and midday on 31 August 2023

If you do not complete the pre-registration, which closes on 16 June 2023, you will not receive an application to apply for a new special free school in this wave.

Published 13 November 2013
Last updated 1618 August 2023 + show all updates

  1. Changed the capacity of both Wokingham schools from 100 to 120 in the 'Local authority specifications'.

  2. Updated the number of places and age range for Hampshire in 'Local authority specifications'.

  3. Added guidance on how to apply to open a special free school, with local authority specifications. Proposer groups have until 16 June 2023 to complete the pre-registration form.

  4. Updated the page details to include a link to the list of successful local authorities applications for the 2022 special free schools wave.

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

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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

  10. Applications have now closed.

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

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

  13. 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.

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

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

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

  17. Updated assessment criteria and application forms.

  18. Updated documents with wave 10 information.

  19. Documents updated in preparation for Wave 9 applications.

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

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

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

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

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

  25. Updated with wave 8 information.

  26. Updated documents for wave 7 application.

  27. First published.