DfE Free Schools bidding rounds 2022 - SEND, AP and Wave 15 Mainstream
DfE have announced details of the next bidding rounds for Free Schools for SEND, AP and Mainstream.
The capital costs for Free schools are central government funded and delivered.
Wave 15 mainstream will deliver 15 new free schools and focus on those areas that:
- currently have the lowest educational standards
- where there is also a need for additional school places
The DfE will prioritise proposals located in one of the 55 education investment areas (this does not include Warwickshire).
This also includes the opportunity for trusts to bid to open a new 16 to 19 school, with the inference being that this school would be distinct from existing provision in the local area.
This bidding process is trust led but the DfE expect trusts to talk with the local authority to understand the full and up-to-date picture of the need for additional school places in the area.
Deadline for trusts to register interest is 16 September 2022.
The Special free school wave is inviting local authorities to apply for new special free school projects in their area.
Trusts will then be invited to apply to open special free schools in successful local authority areas early in 2023.
Applications will be prioritised which:
- are in areas where a new school fits with the local authority’s wider SEN and high needs strategy
- make a strong strategic case for why a new special free school is needed, and will better meet the needs and achieve better outcomes for children and young people in the area
- demonstrate that a new special free school will help local authorities reduce their dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficit
- demonstrate that a new school will be financially sustainable and that local authorities will commit to commissioning, funding and supporting places
- will contribute to the wider aims of the SEND green paper
- include details of a viable site which is likely to secure value for money, in a timely manner, and with an acceptable level of risk
The mandatory pre-registration form must be completed by 5pm on Monday 11 July 2022.
The
AP free school wave is inviting
local authorities to partner with a provider to apply for new AP
free school projects in their area.
Applications will be prioritised which:
- are in areas where a new school fits with the local authority’s wider strategy for high needs provision – including where none of the existing AP schools are currently rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, or where no AP schools currently exist
- make a strong strategic case for why a new AP free school is needed and will achieve better outcomes for children and young people in the area
- demonstrate that the new school will support inclusion, including reintegration where appropriate, and by providing expertise to mainstream schools
- demonstrate that a new AP free school will help local authorities reduce their dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficits
- demonstrate that a new school will be financially sustainable and that the local authorities will commit to commissioning, funding and supporting places
- will contribute to the wider aims of the SEND and AP green paper
- include an ambitious, affordable and deliverable curriculum plan, which is consistent with the partnership’s vision, pupil intake and financial plan, and which places preparations for the next stage of pupils’ lives at the centre, so that children who leave AP settings can fulfil their potential as they grow up
- include details of a viable site, which is likely to secure value for money, in a timely manner, and with an acceptable level of risk
The mandatory pre-registration form will need to be completed and will be available between 12 September and 17 October 2022
The DfE will deliver up to a combined total of 60 special and alternative provision free schools.