Impact of controversial free schools policy under spotlight in new research project

The impact of the Conservative-led and controversial free schools policy – particularly for those living in economically deprived areas – is the focus of a new study.

The opening of free schools, which are new schools operating outside the control of local government with freedoms around curriculum, staffing and financial management, have been facilitated by Conservative-led governments since 2010 as a way of driving innovation, providing greater choice, and increasing educational performance.

Results from the research, conducted by Manchester Metropolitan University in partnership with the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), may have implications for the new government’s education policy.

The analysis will provide a rigorous and in-depth evaluation, due to be published in spring 2025, of the impact of free schools on pupil attainment, attendance and exclusion, including investigating the longer-term impacts of the free schools policy on participation in higher education.

Researchers will also use linked data from the Department for Education and Ministry of Justice to estimate free schools’ impact on contact with the criminal justice system.

Dr William Cook, Reader in Evaluation and Policy Analysis at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “The introduction of free schools into the English education system has been one of the most major innovations of education policies in recent decades. By bringing together the expertise and knowledge of Manchester Met and NFER in evaluation and the schools sector this project will provide evidence that is likely to inform education policy not only in England, but also in education systems around the world.”

Dr Stephen Welbourne, NFER Project Director, said:“We are delighted to be working with Manchester Metropolitan University on this project. 

“Free schools were proposed by the previous government as a means of introducing greater innovation and choice to drive educational performance in economically disadvantaged places and, by, implication, improving economic and social outcomes within the community in those places. However, as yet there hasn’t been any robust evaluation of the impact of free schools and how they affect social mobility.

“The findings will be particularly timely for the new Labour government as it decides whether free schools should be a key education policy as it was for its predecessor.”

The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) is the leading independent provider of education research, and holds the status of Independent Research Organisation (IRO) from UKRI.

The NFER’s unique position and approach delivers evidence-based insights designed to enable education policy makers and practitioners to take action to improve outcomes for children and young people.

This new research, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will help fill the evidence gap as to whether policy can help increase opportunities and reduce disparities for people and places across the UK.