Setting up a free school
To set up a free school, you’ll need to apply through the Department for Education (DfE).
A free school can be set up by groups like:
- academies
- businesses
- charities
- community or faith groups
- independent schools (private, fee-paying schools)
- parents
- schools maintained by local authorities
- teachers
- universities
All applications to set up a free school must be approved by the Secretary of State for Education.
If you meet all the criteria, you can apply to run a: