Contents:
1)
Section A
2)
Section B
3)
Section C
4)
Section D
5)
Section E
Development
Programme
Application:
Special Free Schools
Name of Free School group:
Name of lead applicant:
Contact email:
Contact telephone number:
Applicant information
Applicants should complete every section of the application
form below. You should make reference to the relevant
application criteria, available from our website.
Please ensure your answers are within the word limits
specified in each section. The ability to take on board
guidance is a key quality we look for when assessing your
potential to benefit from the programme.
Please submit your application by email to
[email protected]
Company Registration No. 6953650 – Registered Charity No: 1132122
Section A
Why would your group benefit from a place on the Development
Programme? (max. 500 words)
In addition to the core services which NSN offers all Free School groups, those on the
Development Programme receive an enhanced programme of services, tailored to their
needs.
More information about these additional services can be found here:
http://www.newschoolsnetwork.org/development-programme
In this section you must:

Please explain clearly and specifically why your group has a demonstrable need for
the additional services offered by the Development programme and how they
would benefit your proposals.
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Section B
Why is your group eligible for the Development Programme? (max.
1000 words)
All groups on the Development Programme must be able to prove they are aiming to serve
pupil populations who are at risk of educational disadvantage.
Educational disadvantage is defined as a set of circumstances which limit a child’s
aspirations, achievement or access to high quality education. This can occur in a wide
range of contexts.
In this section you must describe the pupils your Free School will be serving and in what
ways they are at risk of educational disadvantage. You must use a range of appropriate
data to evidence your claims.
Examples of data you may wish to reference include:




The extent of local provision for pupils with the type of SEN your Free School will
provide for – for example, the distance pupils have to travel to reach this provision;
The quality of local provision for pupils with the type of SEN your Free School will
provide for – for example, the outcome of Ofsted inspections and examination
results, where appropriate;
Local/national outcomes for pupils with the type of SEN your Free School will
provide for in mainstream and special education - for example, the proportion of
those who are NEET; and
The pathways currently available for pupils with the type of SEN your Free School
will provide for in mainstream and special education – for example, the proportion
of those that are excluded from mainstream schools.
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Section C
What is the education vision for your Free School? (max. 2500
words)
Having a clear and coherent vision for your Free School is a fundamental part of putting
together a high quality application.
NSN does not expect that all of your education plans for your Free School will be fully
worked out at this stage. We will work with your group to help you develop these.
However, you must be able to demonstrate that your proposals are underpinned by a clear
vision for what the school will be like and what it will achieve.
In this section you must:

Set out clearly why you are seeking to establish this Free School and why it will
meet the needs of its proposed pupils and enhance the local offer;

Explain the key features of your school, including the proposed age range, the type
of SEN to be provided for, it’s size, curriculum, location and approach to teaching
and learning;

Identify what makes the schools vision and ethos distinctive and how this will be
reflected in its curriculum;

Set out your aspirations for the achievement of individual pupils, and the school as
a whole. You should include both academic and non-academic targets and explain
why the aspirations you propose are both ambitious and appropriate for the pupils
your school will serve.
If the school will have a religious ethos:

Explain how the group’s religious beliefs and affiliations will be reflected in, or
influence the school.
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Section D
What is the capacity and capability of your group to establish a Free
School and what are your skills gaps? (max. 1000 words)
All groups on the Development Programme must be able to show that they have the high
potential necessary to open a successful Free School.
Successful Free School applicants must demonstrate that they have the capacity and
capability required to set up and run a successful school.
NSN does not expect that your group will be fully completed at this stage. We will work
with your group to try and find volunteers who may be able to add their expertise.
However, you must be able to demonstrate self-awareness of your skills gaps and where
your group requires additional support.
In this section you must:

Give details of the individuals who are committed to working on your Free School
proposal, including:
o their role in your Free School group;
o their relevant expertise; and
o their time commitment to the project and any role they envisage playing in
its long term operation.
You may wish to provide this information in a table.

Provide an analysis of your skills gaps, what expertise you require to fill them and
any plans you have in place to do so.
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Section E
Is there evidence of demand for your school from Local Authorities?
(max. 300 words)
Because the Local Authorities will play a major role in commissioning your school’s
services for pupils with SEN, communicating with them is important.
Support from Local Authorities is not necessary for your group to be awarded a place on
the Development Programme but will enhance your application.
In this section you must:

Give a brief summary of any contact you have had with Local Authorities, or of
your plans to establish this contact.
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