Guidance

Apply to open a special free school

The process you need to follow to apply to set up a new special free school.

From:
Department for Education
Published
13 November 2013
Last updated
1 July 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

How to apply to open a special free school

HTML

Local authority specifications

HTML

Expression of interest form

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 32 KB

Details

This guidance sets out the process for proposer groups applying to set up a new special free school. Applicants should:

  • read the guidance on how to apply to open a special free school
  • read your chosen local authority’s school specification and contextual information
  • complete the expression of interest form between 13 May and 31 May 2024 and send this form to fs.applications@education.gov.uk
  • complete the application forms you receive after completing the expression of interest
  • submit the completed application forms to fs.applications@education.gov.uk between 10 June and 19 July 2024

A list of approved trusts from the previous application round that closed on 31 August 2023 is available.

Updates to this page

Published 13 November 2013
Last updated 1 July 2024 + show all updates

  1. Updated 'How to apply to open a special free school' with preferred email subject line format. Removed the recommendation that applicants should raise their expansion plans with the relevant regional director, as this is not current guidance. Updated number of places for Stoke-on-Trent in 'Local authority specifications'.

  2. Updated 'Local authority specifications' for East Riding of Yorkshire, Harrow, Surrey, and Westmorland & Furness.

  3. Updated 'Local authority specifications' to add additional information for 'Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole'. A link has been added for information about the local context for 'Isle of Wight'.

  4. Updated for the next wave of special free schools applications.

  5. Updated to reflect that applications to set up a special free school are closed.

  6. Updated 'Local authority specifications' to change the age range to 4 to 16 for Wiltshire.

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

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

  9. 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.

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

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

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

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

  16. Applications have now closed.

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

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

  19. 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.

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

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

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

  23. Updated assessment criteria and application forms.

  24. Updated documents with wave 10 information.

  25. Documents updated in preparation for Wave 9 applications.

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

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

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

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

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

  31. Updated with wave 8 information.

  32. Updated documents for wave 7 application.

  33. First published.

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