Free School

[ElfHire]

There is a proposal for a free school in the town which already has five high-schools, (all undersubscribed, so there's plenty of places), the free school is supported by an isolated faith group which itself doesn't interact with other faiths.
Is this normal for free schools?

There isn't really a "normal" for free schools yet, as they've not been around long enough. But in the first wave, a lot were faith schools (principally Hindu). So depending on what the faith is, it might prove to be a well backed proposal, and be backed by enough families to fill the school. In areas where there is an excess of places (rare!) then it is about diversity of provision, not meeting shortfall.

in the area are 4 community schools (one with a high Islamic pupil population), one Christian faith secondary, with an FE, a UTC and a sixth form in the town, which itself has a multifaith centre, this "new" faith group don't join in tho, seems a bit "cultish"

Near where I live a specific fundamentalist Christian sect who currently have a 'private school' (in the loosest sense of the word, it is more like group home ed in a church hall as far as I can tell).

They tried to set up as a free school, but were declined. As far as I know, this was on the basis that their education plan wasn't broad enough.

Although I still have doubts about the education the kids are receiving, at least it is not being paid for by the state.

ElfHire, in the first couple of rounds of free schools they could probably have applied on the basis that they were adding to local diversity by creating a different kind of school. However, the rules have changed, and now they must demonstrate a need for places ... that need might be because other schools are full (not so in your case) or because they're not performing well enough.

You don't say whether your local high schools have spare places because there aren't enough children to fill them or because they're not providing a good education? If the latter, then that would be demonstrated by indifferent Ofsted judgements, high local transfer to the private sector, and lots of people moving house to avoid certain catchments.

Once they've demonstrated a need they must also prove that there is enough demand for their particular model of school from local parents. The evidence they will need is described in this document.

Beyond that they must prove to the DfE that they;re capable of running a high quality school, with a broad curriculum that caters for children from all backgrounds, including SEN children. They won't be able to prioritise entry on faith for more than 50% of the places.

Would be interesting to know the town?? Most "under-subscribed" UTC's end up closing!!