In April 2022, PAG was appointed by the DfE as the sole supplier for free school support and advice. In order to deliver this, Create: Schools (CS) was launched as a bespoke service to support prospective free school proposers. Throughout the previous free school waves, CS worked closely with the DfE and over 40 Local Authorities to promote these opportunities to potential bidders, organised events, and reviewed over 300 free school bids.

CS supported 94% of successful Wave 3 bids, as well as 100% of successful Safety Valve applicants during the latest round. CS has also delivered over 75 mock interviews to clients who were successful with their initial bids. This work is additional to the hundreds of free school bids and mock interviews conducted by PAG over time.

​

These waves have now closed. For information on Wave 4 support please contact creece@createschools.co.uk

​

Below you can find out more about how we supported free school proposers.

​

Please note, with the end of the last free school wave round and subsequently, Create: Schools' DfE contract, CS is no longer funded by the DfE to provide the services detailed below. There have currently been no announcements or information released on when or if the next round of free school waves will occur.​​
 

​

Looking for further support?

​

Create: Schools is powered by PAG. PAG has been delivering professional education services since its inception in 2015 and prior to the establishment of Create: Schools. PAG has supported the opening and operations of hundreds of schools up and down the country, from helping to deliver specialist SEND or AP provision to project managing the opening of brand-new, best-in-class free schools. If you are looking for additional support beyond Create: Schools' remit, please get in touch and one of PAG's expert consultants will contact you to set up an initial call.

​

Below are just a few of the services PAG can provide:

​​​

• Opening new independent provision

• Setting up a MAT & Academy conversions 

• Pre-opening project management  

• Bid writing

• Significant change applications 

• Governance reviews  

• Capacity mapping 

 

 

Mainstream Wave
 

Our support service for mainstream was designed to provide intense support to applicant groups who demonstrated the necessary capacity, expertise, and vision to successfully run a mainstream free school, including 16-19 provision. 

Groups who successfully enrolled onto the programme were assigned a named Create: Schools Advisor who answered any questions, reviewed draft applications, ensured the group’s expertise was deployed efficiently, and ensured key milestones were reached. They worked with proposers to develop and refine applications, with the aim of helping applicants secure an interview with the DfE and to ultimately be approved to open their school.
 

What did this support involve? 
 

• A diagnostic tool to identify key priorities for applications and provide tailored support options 

• A bespoke project plan to map out key milestones of the application process and help manage capacity 

• In-depth reviews of the application with detailed, actionable feedback provided 

• Access to Create: Schools’ range of highly skilled and experienced external associates and partners 

• Networking opportunities with successful free school proposers 

• Advice and support to prepare for Department for Education interview

​

​

Special Wave
 

During the special free school wave, Create: Schools provided a service for all local authorities in England to seek guidance and advice on submitting an application for a new special school.

 

What did this support involve?  

​

• Access to data and support with analysis to support the case for a new school  

• Access to Create: Schools’ range of highly skilled and experienced external associates and partners, to provide advice on areas such as finding a suitable site 

• A diagnostic tool to identify key priorities for the application and provide tailored support options 

• In-depth review of the application with detailed, actionable feedback provided
   

For successful local authorities:

​

• Bespoke webinars

• Continued support to generate interest in the competition, utilising Create: Schools' extensive network of schools and trusts   

• Co-design and delivery of effective free school events for proposer groups, as well as attendance from Create: Schools to present and answer questions where appropriate

• Matchmaking services between local authorities and trusts based on key features such as vision

• Working closely with trusts to ensure that bids submitted are of high quality

​​

​

Alternative Provision Wave
 

Our support service for Alternative Provision was designed to provide intense support to proposer groups and partnerships interested in applying in the AP wave.
 

Groups who successfully enrolled onto the programme were assigned a named Create: Schools Advisor who answered any questions, reviewed draft applications, ensured partnerships are aligned, and ensured key milestones were reached. They worked with proposers to build partnerships, develop and refine applications, and ultimately secure an interview with the DfE and be approved to open their Alternative Provision.
 

What did this support involve?
 

• ‘Matchmaking’ process/community mapping to support trusts and LAs to build stronger partnerships with other organisations to support the bid 

• A diagnostic tool to identify key priorities for the application and provide tailored support options 

• A bespoke project plan to map out key milestones of the application process and help manage capacity 

• In-depth reviews of the application with detailed, actionable feedback provided 

• Access to Create: Schools’ range of highly skilled and experienced external associates and partners 

• Bespoke workshops 

• Introductions and facilitated visits to existing AP free schools 

• Advice and support to prepare for Department for Education interviews​