Adjustments to local authority funding related to free schools

Overview

We are seeking views on proposals to change the recoupment arrangements for mainstream free schools.

Why your views matter

This consultation relates to the process of recoupment, where the department deducts funding for pupils in academies and free schools (which are funded directly by the department) from the local authority (who receive funding based on the total number of pupils in the area).

We propose to make all mainstream free schools recoupable from the first year of opening. This would bring greater consistency to the recoupment arrangements for different types of free school.