In a speech at the Policy Exchange think-tank, education secretary Michael Gove confirmed that ‘more than a dozen free schools’ are expected to open this year.
Mr Gove said that the first free schools would open just seven to 12 months after submitting their initial plans to the Department for Education.
‘We are not being prescriptive about free schools and so they come in all shapes and sizes,’ he said.
Among those opening this September is the Norwich Free school, a primary school for four to-11-year-olds, which will integrate education and childcare.
Mr Gove said, 'The school will be sited right in the heart of Norwich, so that working parents can make full use of the extended school provision, which will be available on the school premises for six days each week, 51 weeks of the year.'
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