Free School funds 'will not be taken from school meals scheme'

The government has announced that the initial £50 million of funding for setting up its Free Schools scheme will not draw finances away from a school lunches project.

Fears had been expressed that money may have been withdrawn from the pledge to increase free lunch provision for those from low-income backgrounds.

However, education secretary Michael Gove has told parliament that the finances will be drawn from "low-priority IT projects", rather than the nutrition drive in schools.

Following a series of requests under the Freedom of Information Act, the government has now released the names of all schools applying to become academies under the coalition's new school reform proposals.

In total, over 1,700 schools have registered an interest in the change, while 700 applications have been made to the New Schools Network by groups looking for more information on becoming Free Schools.

Mr Gove also said that all of those interested in achieving academy status would be given a named contact at the Department for Education to help guide them through the process.

Posted by Hariet McGowan



Published On 28/06/2010