Free choice, free schools and the academisation of education in England

The creation of multiple academies and the introduction of free schools across England is a policy-borrowing initiative that has had much debate from various actors in society. Many criticisms have been levelled at the government's plans and many individuals and organisations have called for them not to come on stream, but instead for the strengthening of current provision in the state sector. The government is responsible for providing education, and passing responsibility of this to parents and private interests raises serious questions about the government's motives. Instead of supporting free schools and more academies, this article questions the idea of supporting free schools and more academies and debates the ideas above, whilst calling on the government to strengthen existing provision by committing more resources to schools and by providing better support for teachers.