Michael Gove sets out coalition's plan for free schools

Parents can begin applying to set up the independent, government-funded schools from today

The education secretary, Michael Gove, has set out the government's plans for "free schools" on the day parents can begin applying to set them up.

The Department for Education is publishing a proposal form for groups keen to establish such schools, where applicants must set out the aims and objectives of the institution, why they want to set it up, an outline of the curriculum, and evidence of demand from parents and potential locations for the site.

A pledge to allow the establishment of such schools formed a key part of the Conservatives' election manifesto.Gove said the main principle behind free schools, which will be independent but funded by the government, was "closing the attainment gap".

"The situation we have in this country at the moment is that we have one of the most stratified, segregated school systems in the developed world," the education secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.


full article