Free and Academies.

[Diane31]

Just wondering if anyone knows if there is a difference between an academy and a free school. Most of the schools around my area have become academies (all the local (and good) high schools are now academies). However a school that has been private is turning to a free state school in September. Just out of curiosity really, is there a difference?

And anyone up for starting a new free school in WA13 area of south Manchester as my WA13 postcode is proving difficult in getting my home ed daughter back into school in the area we want (WA14) (social reasons). Joking but meaning it too lol.

[meditrina]

A free school is a type of academy. The term is used to describe those academies which were not previously in the state system, ie converters from the private sector and new start ups.

[Diane31]

Aah thanks for that. I sort of thought that might be the case. So not much difference really then. Not so sure I'm keen on all this academy business. We used to be catchment for a school I wanted when we moved to this village 14 years ago, but not now.