http://www.education.gov.uk/b0074965/apply How to apply to open a Free School How to apply to open a Free School Information about the application process to open a Free School in 2013. <![CDATA[ The window to submit an application to open a Free School in 2013 has closed. The guidance, forms and templates that were used are available here for information only. Please only contact the Department if you submitted an application by 6pm on 24 February 2012, and do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt. Do not provide the Department with additional information unless specifically invited to do so. We will hold interviews from 23 April to 1 June 2012, and will inform applicants about the exact date of their interview in due course. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application during the summer. ]]> false Governor Headteacher Local authority Teacher Education and training professionals Parents and carers Department for Education English 2012-04-26T16:57:49 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0074965/apply/evaluation Evaluation of applications and further information Evaluation of applications and further information Information on the submission process for applying to open a Free School in 2013. <![CDATA[<h1> Evaluation of applications</h1> Only high quality applications will be approved. We know from the United States that the best Charter schools in the States have a rigorous approval process. Groups will be judged against each other, and scored on the strength of their applications. Shortlisted applicants will be called for an interview to discuss aspects of their application. Being called for interview does not indicate that an application will ultimately be successful. <h1> Further information</h1> You can find further information in the Free Schools FAQs section. Those wishing to put together an application in the future can speak to the New Schools Network - their contact details are available on this page. You can read about the process to apply to open a Studio School or a University Technical College in the types of school section on this website. ]]> false Headteacher Leadership team Local authority Teacher Parents and carers English 2012-04-26T16:57:49 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0074965/apply/fssuitability- Suitability checks and Multi-Academy Trusts Suitability checks and Multi-Academy Trusts Information about checks made on applicants intending to open a free school, along with guidance on when these additional checks are not needed. <![CDATA[ The Department carries out due diligence and other checks on applicants to establish Free Schools in order to ensure that only suitable people are involved in the Free Schools programme. These checks are crucial to protecting the integrity of the programme. Some applicants are already well-known to the Department and have a proven track record in setting up new publicly-funded independent schools. In such cases, it is unnecessary for the Department to conduct further due diligence checks to establish their suitability to set up a Free School. Therefore, in relation to such applicants for new Free Schools, the Department will not require them to submit Section I: Suitability and declaration forms.  The applicants covered by this arrangement are those where the following conditions are met:  <ul> <li> the Department has an existing relationship with the applicant;</li> <li> the applicant has a proven track record in setting up and running sponsored Academies; and</li> <li> these sponsored Academies form part of an existing Multi-Academy Trust.</li> </ul> This will mainly affect a small number of chains who already work with the Department and are already established Academy sponsors.  If you are unsure whether this applies to you please use the contact email below. ]]> false Department for Education English 2012-02-24T18:16:19