This briefing sets out considerations for policymakers on the future of academy and free school freedoms in England. It has been produced ahead of further debate on the Government’s proposed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

 The rapid expansion of academies and free schools over the last two decades has coincided with significant improvements in England’s international educational rankings. Poorly performing schools that had been converted into academies saw the greatest increase in ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ Ofsted ratings between 2018 and 2023.

 Academies and free schools have specific freedoms that have enabled them to innovate and improve student outcomes. These include the freedom to not follow the National Curriculum, hire unqualified teaching staff, set teacher pay and vary their timetables. The Government’s schools bill proposes to end many of these freedoms, threatening the academy programme’s legacy of school improvement in England.