Twenty-eight mainstream and 18 special free school projects face the axe, with 58 more specialist settings thrown into limbo after a year-long government review. The Department for Education has confirmed around two thirds of 44 mainstream free school plans that were placed under review when Labour entered government last year are now set to be dropped. Meanwhile, just 15 out of 92 planned special and alternative provision (AP) free schools are definitely going ahead. Councils will be given the choice on whether to proceed with another 59 specialist projects, or receive per-pupil cash to create places in existing schools. Eighteen special schools planned under the free schools programme will definitely be scrapped, with funding diverted to local authorities. Councils have welcomed the news, but school leaders have slammed ministers for the decision amid a chronic shortage of special school places. Warren Carratt, CEO of Nexus Multi-Academy Trust which runs 19 special schools, described the news as 鈥渢he nightmare before Christmas鈥 for the specialist sector. He blasted the decision to allow councils 鈥渢he chance to cut and run with the money earmarked for these schools鈥. Free school plans scrapped Last year, the government paused plans for 44 new mainstream free schools 鈥 a flagship policy of the previous government 鈥 after launching a review into whether they offered value for money. Today, the government confirmed just 16 of the projects will proceed, with 28 moving into the 鈥渕inded to cancel鈥 phase. Trusts and councils can appeal this decision. Scrapping the projects is estimated to save the government around 拢600 million. The DfE said its decision would help 鈥減rioritise investment in specialist places鈥. Among those facing cancellation is Perranporth Academy 鈥 a planned secondary school in Cornwall, whose website still says it is 鈥渙pening autumn 2026鈥. The academy was going to be a “flagship” school for inclusive education, with a purpose-built “SEND hub” and resource base – something the Labour government is pushing for more of. CEO Dr Jenny Blunden said the trust was 鈥渞eally disappointed鈥. ‘Huge amount of money to waste’ 鈥淲e have huge numbers of housing needing to be built and short-term decision making by this government that will mean Cornish children will be worse off as a result of this. Plans were 鈥渞eady to go鈥 when projects were paused last summer. 鈥淭here had been a huge amount of money spent on feasibility study鈥hat is essentially government money that has gone completely to waste.鈥 Among the projects reviewed were three selective sixth forms in Dudley, Oldham and Middlesbrough proposed by Eton College and Star Academies. The Middlesbrough project will now not proceed. Sir Hamid Patel CBE, chief executive of Star Academies, said the trust was 鈥渄elighted鈥 three of its five free school projects have been confirmed, and understood 鈥渢he rationale for not progressing the other two projects鈥. The government had faced growing calls to reveal its plans, including from the New Schools Network, a charity that supports and lobbies for free schools. Its director Meg Powell-Chandler said the organisation 鈥渞egret[s] the decision to cancel a number of projects, and remain concerned that uncertainty persists for 77 vital special and AP free school proposals that would provide much-needed, high-quality specialist places.鈥 Councils given say over special schools Councils will be able to decide whether to carry on with plans to build the 58 special and AP free schools now in limbo or receive cash to create places. For the 18 cancelled specialist free schools, which were at an early stage with no trust approved, they will automatically receive money. The DfE says this would help accommodate children 鈥渙ften more quickly鈥 than waiting for free schools to be built, as it can take years to open new schools. Carratt questioned the government鈥檚 focus on placing SEND pupils in mainstream schools 鈥渨hen special schools up and down the country are at breaking point鈥. Several of those schools in limbo are in 鈥渟afety valve鈥 areas 鈥 where councils sign multimillion pound bailout deals for sweeping SEND reforms. The DfE鈥檚 own data revealed that about two thirds of special schools are over capacity. The department said it would deliver on all 10,000 places 鈥渋n all areas鈥 that were due to be created by the planned special free schools. Councils welcome move Amanda Hopgood, of the , welcomed the news special schools 鈥渨ill be funded or councils will be given money to develop their own provision鈥. The DfE has also confirmed 拢3 billion in funding over four years for councils to create more specialist places 鈥 in special or mainstream schools 鈥 from next financial year. This is on top of 拢740 million for this financial year. Applications will also open in the new year for a further 250 rebuilding projects. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders鈥 union NAHT, said: 鈥淭his additional investment should mean that, in time, more children and young people receive the provision and education that they need and deserve. But he said investment in buildings are 鈥渙nly one part of the picture鈥, adding government must ensure there are 鈥渟ufficient teachers and leaders with the right level of specialist training鈥. The mainstream free schools Current project nameSchool phaseLocal AuthorityTrust namePipeline review decisionAvanti ManorSecondaryHertfordshireAvanti Schools TrustMinded to cancelCabot Sixth Form16-19BristolCabot Learning FederationMinded to cancelCambridge City Free SchoolSecondaryCambridgeshireKnowledge Schools TrustContinue in Pre-OpeningCentral Ipswich Primary SchoolPrimarySuffolkAsset EducationMinded to cancelCoseley Technology PrimaryPrimaryDudleyShireland Collegiate Academy TrustMinded to cancelDean Trust Free SchoolSecondaryManchesterThe Dean TrustMinded to cancelDixons Victoria AcademySecondaryManchesterDixons Academies TrustContinue in Pre-OpeningDoncaster UTC Health Sciences and Green TechnologiesSecondaryDoncasterBrighter Futures Learning Partnership TrustContinue in Pre-OpeningDurham Mathematics School16-19DurhamProvidence Learning PartnershipContinue in Pre-OpeningEast Village CE AcademyPrimarySwindonDiocese of Bristol Academies TrustContinue in Pre-OpeningEton Star Dudley16-19DudleyStar AcademiesContinue in Pre-OpeningEton Star Oldham16-19OldhamStar AcademiesContinue in Pre-OpeningEton Star Teesside16-19MiddlesbroughStar AcademiesMinded to cancelFords View PrimaryPrimaryBarking and DagenhamTVI LearningMinded to cancelGravesend Central SchoolSecondaryKentEndeavour MATMinded to cancelGreat Stall East AcademyAll-ThroughSwindonUnited Learning TrustMinded to cancelHanwood Park SchoolSecondaryNorth NorthamptonshireOrbis Education TrustContinue in Pre-OpeningHarrier Primary AcademyPrimaryThurrockREAch2 Academy TrustMinded to cancelHarris Academy Avery HillSecondaryGreenwichHarris FederationMinded to cancelHarrow View PrimaryPrimaryHarrowThe Harrow Academies TrustMinded to cancelHurst Farm Primary AcademyPrimaryWest SussexSussex Learning TrustMinded to cancelInfinity Park Spencer AcademySecondaryDerbyshireThe Spencer Academies TrustMinded to cancelKingston CoE VA Secondary SchoolSecondaryKingston upon ThamesNot applicableMinded to withdraw DfE share of the capital fundingLivingstone Academy West LondonSecondaryRichmond upon ThamesAspirations Academies TrustMinded to cancelLodge Farm Primary and Nursery SchoolPrimaryEssexAttain Academy PartnershipMinded to cancelLotmead Primary SchoolPrimarySwindonThe Blue Kite Academy TrustMinded to cancelNew College Keighley16-19BradfordNew Collaborative Learning TrustMinded to cancelNew House Farm CofE Primary SchoolPrimaryDerbyshireDerby Diocesan Academy TrustMinded to cancelNorth Derbyshire University Academy16-19DerbyshireRedhill Academy TrustContinue in Pre-OpeningPerranporth AcademySecondaryCornwallTruro & Penwith Academy TrustMinded to cancelSaracens Primary SchoolPrimaryBarnetSaracens Multi-Academy TrustMinded to cancelSt Joseph’s CofE Primary SchoolPrimaryHartlepoolMelrose Learning TrustMinded to cancelSt Neots AcademySecondaryBedfordAdvantage SchoolsContinue in Pre-OpeningStar Lakeside Academy, RochdaleSecondaryRochdaleStar AcademiesContinue in Pre-OpeningStar Primary Leadership Academy, LittleboroughPrimaryRochdaleStar AcademiesMinded to cancelSurbiton Primary AcademyPrimaryKingston upon ThamesOmnia Learning TrustMinded to cancelSwan Green AcademySecondaryLeicesterLionheart Educational TrustContinue in Pre-OpeningSwift AcademySecondaryWalsallWindsor Academy TrustContinue in Pre-OpeningThe Avenue CofE Primary SchoolPrimaryDerbyshireDerby Diocesan Academy TrustContinue in Pre-OpeningThe Terry Elliott AcademyPrimaryLeedsThe GORSE Academies TrustMinded to cancelUnity Romford Primary SchoolPrimaryHaveringUnity Schools PartnershipContinue in Pre-OpeningUniversity of Nottingham Maths School16-19NottinghamEast Midlands Education TrustContinue in Pre-OpeningUTC SouthamptonSecondarySouthamptonUTC PortsmouthMinded to cancelWootton Park School (Dallington)SecondaryWest NorthamptonshireWootton Park Academy TrustMinded to cancel The special and AP free schools Current project nameSchool typeLocal AuthorityTrust nameNext stepsWhitstable Special SchoolFS – SpecialKentFortis TrustLA considering alternative fundingGreensand AcademyFS – SpecialCambridgeshireMeridian TrustLA considering alternative fundingLime Academy MarchFS – SpecialCambridgeshireLIME TRUSTLA considering alternative fundingLeigh Academy BirchwoodFS – SpecialKentLeigh Academies TrustLA considering alternative fundingUnity School Great YarmouthFS – SpecialNorfolkUnity Schools PartnershipLA considering alternative fundingThe Ryston SchoolFS – SpecialNorfolkEastern Learning AllianceLA considering alternative fundingBeckmead Wealden AcademyFS – SpecialWest SussexThe Beckmead TrustLA considering alternative fundingAchieve AcademyFS – SpecialLeicestershireMacintyre AcademiesLA considering alternative fundingAspire AcademyFS – SpecialLeedsEthos Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingThrive Learning AcademyFS – SpecialBlackpoolThe Sea View TrustLA considering alternative fundingSpringwell GrimsbyFS – SpecialNorth East LincolnshireWellspring Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingThe Garden Village SchoolFS – SpecialDarlingtonThe Education Village Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingGreen Ways AcademyFS – SpecialBath and North East SomersetThree Ways SchoolLA considering alternative fundingHillingdon Special Free SchoolFS – SpecialHillingdonThe Eden AcademyLA considering alternative fundingInspire AcademyFS – SpecialSheffieldEthos Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingFrankley Hill SchoolFS – SpecialBirminghamOpen Thinking PartnershipLA considering alternative fundingSpringwell BirminghamFS – SpecialBirminghamWellspring Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingThe MeadowFS – SpecialEnfieldSearch Education TrustLA considering alternative fundingUnity SLD SchoolFS – SpecialSuffolkUnity Schools PartnershipLA considering alternative fundingBitham Park SchoolFS – SpecialWiltshireBrunel Academies TrustLA considering alternative fundingCo-op Academy SalfordFS – SpecialSalfordThe Co-operative Academies TrustLA considering alternative fundingNorth Star WellsFS – SpecialSomersetNorth Star Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingStrawberry Fields SchoolFS – SpecialWokinghamAscendancy Partnership TrustLA considering alternative fundingChiltern Way Academy Windsor and MaidenheadFS – SpecialWindsor and MaidenheadChiltern Way Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingBristol Specialist ProvisionFS – SpecialBristolEnable TrustLA considering alternative fundingFairfax Primary AcademyFS – SpecialMiddlesbroughHorizons Specialist Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingRooks Nest SchoolFS – SpecialWokinghamAscendancy Partnership TrustLA considering alternative fundingBiggleswade SEMH AcademyFS – SpecialCentral BedfordshireOak Bank SchoolLA considering alternative fundingSouth Tyneside Special Free SchoolFS – SpecialSouth TynesidePROSPER Learning TrustLA considering alternative fundingFrimley Oak AcademyFS – SpecialSurreyLondon South East Academies TrustLA considering alternative fundingForest View Academy (Bracknell Forest ASD)FS – SpecialBracknell ForestThe Propeller Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingThe North Star SchoolFS – SpecialEast Riding of YorkshireThe Education AllianceLA considering alternative fundingSpringwell NorthallertonFS – SpecialNorth YorkshireWellspring Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingEnterprise AcademyFS – SpecialWorcestershireMacintyre AcademiesLA considering alternative fundingACE CranbrookFS – SpecialDevonTransforming Futures Multi Academy Trust LimitedLA considering alternative fundingOlive AP Academy – TilburyFS – APThurrockOlive AcademiesLA considering alternative fundingMulberry Learning VillageFS – APTower HamletsMulberry Schools TrustLA considering alternative fundingDelta Calderdale AP Free SchoolFS – APCalderdaleDelta Academies TrustLA considering alternative fundingImpact Academy WiganFS – APWiganThe Bolton Impact TrustLA considering alternative fundingKithurst AcademyFS – APWest SussexThe Beckmead TrustLA considering alternative fundingMinerva AP Free SchoolFS – APSheffieldMinerva Learning TrustLA considering alternative fundingJude鈥檚 AcademyFS – APKentAlternative Learning TrustLA considering alternative fundingSulis AcademyFS – APBath and North East SomersetMidsomer Norton Schools PartnershipLA considering alternative fundingRiver Tees Academy Redcar and ClevelandFS – APRedcar and ClevelandRiver Tees Multi-Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingDelta Stockton AP Free SchoolFS – APStockton-on-TeesDelta Academies TrustLA considering alternative fundingDelta Kirklees AP Free SchoolFS – APKirkleesDelta Academies TrustLA considering alternative fundingThe Engage AcademyFS – APCheshire EastYouth Engagement Schools TrustLA considering alternative fundingTurning PointFS – APEast Riding of YorkshireThe Constellation TrustLA considering alternative fundingDelta Barnsley AP Free SchoolFS – APBarnsleyDelta Academies TrustLA considering alternative fundingBowden AcademyFS – APNottinghamRaleigh Education TrustLA considering alternative fundingCumberland Alternative ProvisionFS – APCumberlandCumbria Education TrustLA considering alternative fundingEEGT Suffolk AP Free SchoolFS – APSuffolkEastern Education Group TrustLA considering alternative fundingThe Link AcademyFS – APStoke-on-TrentYouth Engagement Schools TrustLA considering alternative fundingMansfield Health AcademyFS – APBlackpoolThe Sea View TrustLA considering alternative fundingAlternative Free School for WiltshireFS – APWiltshireREAch South Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingRedwood AcademyFS – SpecialBromleyRivermead Inclusive TrustLA considering alternative fundingOsprey Quay Special SchoolFS – SpecialDorsetSouthern Education TrustLA considering alternative fundingWings AcademyFS – SpecialHounslowOrchard Hill College Academy TrustLA considering alternative fundingBetchwood Vale AcademyFS – SpecialSurreyThe Howard Partnership TrustLA considering alternative fundingBournemouth, Christchurch and Poole tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialBournemouth, Christchurch and PooleTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedBuckinghamshire tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialBuckinghamshireTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedBury tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialBuryTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedCheshire Middlewich SEND 2022FS – SpecialCheshire EastTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedEast Riding of Yorkshire tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialEast Riding of YorkshireTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedEnfield tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialEnfieldTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedHampshire tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialHampshireTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedHarrow tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialHarrowTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedHerefordshire tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialHerefordshireTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedIsle of Wight SEND 2022FS – SpecialIsle of WightTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedLincolnshire tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialLincolnshireTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedNewham tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialNewhamTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedNottinghamshire tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialNottinghamshireTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedSolihull tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialSolihullTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedStoke-on-Trent tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialStoke-on-TrentTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedSurrey tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialSurreyTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedWalsall tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialWalsallTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be providedWestmorland and Furness tbc Special SchoolFS – SpecialWestmorland and FurnessTrust competition not completeAlternative funding to be provided This story was updated to change the number of schools in limbo from 58 to 59 to include an alternative provision proposal that wasn鈥檛 fully labelled in the spreadsheet.