Gove approves new free schools

Education Secretary Michael Gove approved more than 100 free school applications today including a number in this region.

Many of the schools will be based in deprived areas or where there is a shortage of school places, with 72% of free school approvals going towards meeting basic need.

The 102 free schools, which are expected to open in 2014, will join the 81 current free schools and 109 which are due to open from September. In total, the free schools will cover 130,000 school places.

The free schools approved by Michael Gove in this region:

Aspire Academy - Essex

Ascot Road Community School - Herts

Harperbury Free School - Herts

Harris Primary Free School Chafford - Thurrock

Hemel Hempstead Community Free School - Herts

Ixworth Free School - Suffolk (run by Seckford same as Beccles and Saxmundham)

Jane Austen College - Norwich

Malcolm Arnold Primary School - Northants

On Track Chiltern - Bedfordshire

Watford Town Community Free School - Herts