The government has pledged to create up to 14,000 school places in up to 75 new free schools, including new special schools, alternative provision and “elite” sixth forms.
In the next wave of free school applications, the Department for Education said it would approve up to 60 special and AP free schools to open from September 2025, creating around 4,500 places.
Another 15 mainstream schools – including “a number” of “high-quality” standalone sixth forms – will be targeted in the government’s 55 education investment areas.
