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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Free school data published by government | Free school data published by government |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The government has published more information on free schools in England in response to a ruling by the information commissioner. | The government has published more information on free schools in England in response to a ruling by the information commissioner. |
| In January, the government lost a bid to withhold information on groups wanting to set up free schools that are state-funded but independently run. | In January, the government lost a bid to withhold information on groups wanting to set up free schools that are state-funded but independently run. |
| Education Secretary Michael Gove has said that he wants to be "careful" with the information. | Education Secretary Michael Gove has said that he wants to be "careful" with the information. |
| The new data includes financial details and impact assessments. | The new data includes financial details and impact assessments. |
| Once they are all uploaded, the figures, published on the Department for Education website, will include impact assessments on other local schools for the first 24 free schools to open, funding agreements for the second wave of schools and details of expenditure for all the schools now open. | |
| Requests rejected | Requests rejected |
| There will also be details of all applications, both successful and unsuccessful, to open both mainstream free schools and specialist free schools, such as university technology colleges or studio schools. | There will also be details of all applications, both successful and unsuccessful, to open both mainstream free schools and specialist free schools, such as university technology colleges or studio schools. |
| The DfE had previously rejected Freedom of Information requests for details of the groups wanting to set up schools. | The DfE had previously rejected Freedom of Information requests for details of the groups wanting to set up schools. |
| The information commissioner backed the requests, but the government appealed against the decision. | The information commissioner backed the requests, but the government appealed against the decision. |
| The DfE argued that revealing the identity of unsuccessful applicants could put them off from reapplying or could deter interest from other groups. | The DfE argued that revealing the identity of unsuccessful applicants could put them off from reapplying or could deter interest from other groups. |
| It also made the case that the identities of any bids would become public once they had got beyond an initial application - and that the only extra information to be revealed would be those groups rejected at the first stage. | It also made the case that the identities of any bids would become public once they had got beyond an initial application - and that the only extra information to be revealed would be those groups rejected at the first stage. |
| Some information about the groups bidding to run the schools was published in February. Then the data showed that a quarter of applications to set up the schools were from faith-based organisations. | Some information about the groups bidding to run the schools was published in February. Then the data showed that a quarter of applications to set up the schools were from faith-based organisations. |
| 'Protecting applicants' | 'Protecting applicants' |
| This compares with a third of state schools that have a faith designation. | This compares with a third of state schools that have a faith designation. |
| In a letter to the information commissioner in February, Mr Gove said he had resisted publishing the information because the DfE wanted to protect applicants from "intimidation". | In a letter to the information commissioner in February, Mr Gove said he had resisted publishing the information because the DfE wanted to protect applicants from "intimidation". |
| The government hopes that, in future, all new schools will be free schools but opponents fear they will lead to the break-up of the state education system and draw money and pupils away from existing schools. | The government hopes that, in future, all new schools will be free schools but opponents fear they will lead to the break-up of the state education system and draw money and pupils away from existing schools. |
| Kevin Courtney, deputy general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said publication of the information was a major victory. | Kevin Courtney, deputy general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said publication of the information was a major victory. |
| "We will now be going back to them to insist that they publish the remaining impact assessments where a decision has been made whether or not to open a free school. | "We will now be going back to them to insist that they publish the remaining impact assessments where a decision has been made whether or not to open a free school. |
| "Not releasing the impact assessment information has always been a totally unacceptable position for the DfE to take. Local schools and communities have a right to know the criteria by which new schools are being opened in their areas and now thankfully they do." | "Not releasing the impact assessment information has always been a totally unacceptable position for the DfE to take. Local schools and communities have a right to know the criteria by which new schools are being opened in their areas and now thankfully they do." |