GovWire

These documents explain the criteria we use when we assess the need for a new mainstream free school in a local area for each application phase (wave).

Mainstream free schools can be:

• primary schools
• secondary schools
• all-through schools
• 16 to 19 schools

They exclude:

• alternative providers (places that provide education for children who cant go to a mainstream school)
• special free schools (for children with special educational needs or disabilities)