Free Schools: Mainstream and Special
Free Schools Application Support
We have produced winning applications for all Waves of the free schools programme, including primary, secondary, all-through, and faith designated schools across the country.
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Pre-Opening Support
We have extensive experience of project managing the preopening phase of free schools through the deployment of experienced and mature professionals with many years’ experience.
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Post-Opening Support
Our areas of expertise extend well beyond the opening of new schools and cover all aspects of their day-to-day running.
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Special Provision Application and Pre-Opening Support
We deliver the same winning approach to creating applications for special and alternative provision free schools Wave
Find out moreFree School Pre-Opening Support
We have extensive experience of project managing the preopening phase of free schools through the deployment of experienced and mature professionals with many years’ experience.
To date, we have supported the preopening of 35 successful free schools including many free special schools for pupils with a range of SEND including pupils with ASC/D and those with SEMH needs.
Our support focuses on providing all the services (including as they specifically relate to schools for pupils with SEND) required for a successful preopening phase, including:
- Procurement and school business management
- Preparation for the pre-opening Ofsted inspection and DfE ‘readiness to open’ meeting
- Education brief and policies
- Staffing structures, including staff recruitment
- School specific brief and capital build management
- Finance
- Statutory section 10 stakeholder consultation
- Governance structures
- Facilities management
- ICT support
- Marketing and communications.
In particular, we will reach out into your local community and attain a significant level of ‘sign-up’ support for your school from parents, families and community members. In order to do this, we will use our significant experience of generating support online, including through social media.
Free/New School Post-Opening Support
There will be a very high level of focus around getting the school open on day one, but we never forget the importance of what happens the day after. Our areas of expertise extend well beyond the opening of new schools and cover all aspects of their day-to-day running. Every free school that Place Group has helped to open has received Good or Outstanding judgements in their first Ofsted inspection.
With the requirement from the DfE that any new school must provide evidence of how it will create a success culture, it is important to lay the foundations for this by having a clear delivery plan. Our post-opening support focuses upon subjects and integral elements including:
- Competitive Procurement
- First full inspection preparation aligned to the Ofsted Inspection Framework 2019
- Ongoing Leadership and Governance Training
- HR
- ICT Support
- Marketing, Communications and Networking
- Curriculum Planning
- Enrichment activities planning and strategy
Special Provision Application and Pre-Opening Support
We can produce applications for special education settings – including new SEND establishments and Approved Provisions. Our overriding principles for authoring and producing these are identical to how we develop mainstream applications. However, we utilise the skills and experience of specific team members that have direct experience of working in the special education field.
We have supported the successful opening of over ten special and alternative provision schools, including schools for the National Autistic Society.
Our innovative approach is aligned to the respective local authorities criteria and logistical expectations, and will include key elements of a special school application (guidance criteria) including:
- A clear vision for how the proposed school will improve outcomes and enhance the life chances of children and young people with SEND within the local community
- A clear understanding of the needs of the expected cohort and demonstrate the ability to meet those needs
- For special schools, an outline of how greater independence, employability and social mobility will be achieved, centred around each SEND child’s own aspirations, interests and need
- Demonstration of a strong track record of providing a high standard of education
- Evidence of good value for money, with an affordable education plan
- For alternative provision schools, demonstration of how preparation for the next stage of a pupil’s life, e.g. reintegration to mainstream schooling (where appropriate), further education and employment will be realised
Contact us for a free initial consultation with one of our senior team members today!
T: 0845 548 5677
E: contact@place-group.com
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