Our Free Schools Round Up will provide you with education headlines from the past month, featuring key updates on each of the free school waves including education and academy news highlights.
Key Updates on Waves
Special Wave
The application window for SEND Wave 4 closed on 19th July and successful applicants will be invited for interviews in Autumn once the DfE has assessed all applications. If you are successful and need help with your interview preparation, please get in touch with one of our advisors via hello@createschools.co.uk. Create Schools is also providing mock interviews and interview preparation sessions for successful applicants in the local authority competitions so please contact us for more information. For news regarding the changes in education policies post-election, check out our recent blog post detailing what to expect under Labour.
Free Schools in the News: This Month's Top Stories
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson aims to "reset the relationship" with the education sector, focusing on recruiting 6,500 new teachers. She has relaunched the “Every Lesson Shapes a Life” campaign and plans to engage with union leaders. Phillipson emphasised the need to address ongoing challenges in the profession, which has been “talked down” for too long. Unions welcomed her message but urged immediate action on funding, staffing, and workload issues.
Blackpool Council has approved plans to expand Park Community Academy, adding two classrooms and other facilities as part of a multimillion-pound investment in special needs education. The project, including a first-floor extension and two-storey addition, aims to ensure children with additional needs can learn closer to home, reducing out-of-town travel costs. The first new classroom is expected to be ready by September 2025, with further improvements to the parking and outdoor areas.
St Martin-in-the-Fields high school for girls in Tulse Hill, London, will reopen as Oasis St Martin’s Village, a youth hub for at-risk young people. The centre, founded by Steve Chalke of Oasis Charitable Trust, will offer mentoring, therapeutic care, and enrichment activities. It aims to prevent school exclusions and crime, aligning with the government’s “Young Futures” program. This initiative is the first of several planned hubs across the country.
Universities in the UK face financial challenges as student visa applications have dropped by 28%, primarily due to visa restrictions. Data shows a 41% decrease in deposits and acceptances, with postgraduate courses seeing a 55% decline. Universities rely on international tuition fees, and this drop could lead to significant financial strain. The sector hopes to improve domestic enrolment following August’s A-level results to mitigate potential losses.
UCAS will replace the traditional personal statement with structured questions in September 2025 for students applying for 2026 admissions to “level the playing field” for disadvantaged students. The new format aims to provide clearer guidance and reduce the advantage of middle-class students who often receive extensive support. Questions will focus on applicants’ course motivations, educational preparation, and relevant experiences. The reform seeks to make university admissions fairer and more accessible, addressing concerns about stalled progress in social mobility.
Comments