Can parents or local communities open a free school?

Study for the Life in the United Kingdom Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Opening a free school is possible in England because this policy allows communities to establish new state-funded schools outside of local authority control. These schools are funded by the government and enjoy some autonomy over staffing, admissions, and curriculum, provided they meet national standards. Education is devolved, so Scotland and Wales run their own systems and do not have the free school model, meaning the option to open a free school doesn’t apply there. So, groups of parents or local communities can set up a free school, but only in England.