FREE SCHOOLS' FINANCES QUESTIONED

The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Margaret Hodge, has criticised the financial management of Free Schools. Problems identified by whistleblowers should have been found through official audit and review processes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27334531

There are currently 174 Free Schools in England, with another116 approved to open from this September.

The committee said that high-profile failures at three Free Schools show that not enough is being done to ensure that public money is being used properly. To protect whistleblowers, it urges a ban on the use of confidentiality clauses in Free School staff contracts.

The Government said that many of the committee's concerns were 'misplaced'.

Comment:    A serious problem with the Free School programme is a mis-match between the location of Free Schools and the areas where there is the greatest need for resources and additional school places.  The overall cost of  the 'free' schools is also a serious concern.