Three new state sixth forms run jointly by one of the most prestigious private schools in the country and a leading multi-academy trust are among the 15 new free schools announced by the Department for Education today.
Eton College, a boarding school near Windsor in Berkshire, and academy trust Star Academies will set up three state sixth forms in Dudley, Middlesbrough and Oldham after the DfE approved the plans.
The age 16-19 free schools - which will be called Eton Star Dudley, Eton Star Oldham and Eton Star Teesside - will aim to recruit young people from deprived communities and help them secure places at top universities.
The DfE has said today that new free schools will be opening in some of the most disadvantaged areas in the country, catering for around 12,000 young people.
The latest wave of free schools are expected to open in three to four years’ time.
The announcement comes after Dudley, Middlesbrough and Oldham were all listed among the government’s 55 education “cold spots” in England - areas identified as having the weakest education outcomes - as part of its levelling up agenda.
The wave of new free schools also includes a new BRIT school for performing arts opening in Bradford. The original school in London has produced huge stars such as Adele and Tom Holland.
Eton and Star Academies opening new free schools
Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: “We want to make more good school places available to families, and these 15 new free schools will bring brand new opportunities to young people from Bradford to Bristol. Free schools bring high standards, more choice for parents and strong links to industry - and all in the areas where those opportunities are needed most.”
There will be 480 places at each of the Eton Star sixth-form colleges.
The DfE’s list of approved schools also includes two university technical colleges (UTCs) in Doncaster and Southampton.
Many of the new free schools will be in the North, with Leeds, Bradford, Derbyshire and Manchester all getting a new sixth-form college. Swindon will see a new primary school, Liverpool and Manchester a secondary school, and the plans also include a school for ages 4 to 16 in Swindon.
Councillor Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said: “This new sixth form will provide a fantastic opportunity for Oldham’s young people to access a truly world-class education; with access to some of Eton’s best teachers, its clubs and its speaker events, as well as the chance to take part in a summer residential at Eton itself.”
Simon Henderson, headmaster of Eton College, said: “We believe these new colleges have the potential to be transformative both for the young people who attend and for the wider communities they will serve. Now the hard work really starts as we turn our vision into reality.
Sir Hamid Patel, chief executive of Star Academies, said: “This marks an exciting milestone in our partnership. We are confident that the Eton Star sixth forms will produce extraordinary, transformative outcomes, not only for their students but for the wider communities, too.”
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