Sites for potential new free schools
The tables below show the potential new free schools as of February 2025.
This is subject to change, as the dates are based on expected local plan housing trajectories, housing development and pupil demographics.
Overall
| Potential Opening Dates | Number of new free schools |
|---|---|
| Approved new free schools 2025 | 2 |
| Approved new free schools 2026 | 1 |
| Potential new free schools 2027 | 1 |
| Potential new free schools 2028 | 1 |
| New free schools opening date TBC | 1 |
| Potential new free schools post 5 years | 6 |
| Total potential new free schools | 12 |
Cannock Chase District (1 free school)
| Area | Size | Potential opening (September) | Academy Trust (Local Authority Free School Presumption (FSP) or DFE Wave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rugeley: Rugeley John Taylor School |
5FE 2FE* |
2025 (Secondary) 2026 (Primary) |
John Taylor MAT (Wave 14) |
East Staffordshire Borough (4 free schools)
| Area | Size | Potential opening (September) | Academy Trust (FSP/Wave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burton: Branston Locks Primary and Nursery School | 2FE* | 2024 (Open) | John Taylor MAT (Wave 13) |
| Burton: Beamhill - Primary | 1FE | 2027 | |
| Burton: Branston Depot - Primary | 1FE | post-5 years | |
| Uttoxeter: Location TBC - First | 1FE | post-5 years |
Lichfield District (4 free schools)
| Area | Size | Potential opening (September) | Academy Trust (FSP/Wave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamworth: Dunstall Park Primary School** | 1FE | 2024 (Open) | Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (FSP) |
| Lichfield: St. John's Grange (Land South of Shortbutts Lane) |
2FE* | 2026 | Primitas Learning Partnership (FSP) |
| Tamworth: Arkall Farm - Primary** | 1FE | 2028 | |
| Lichfield: Watery Lane - Primary | 1FE | post-5 years |
Newcastle Under Lyme Borough (0 free schools)
| Area | Size | Potential opening (September) | Academy Trust (FSP/Wave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent on future Local Plan | N/A | N/A | N/A |
South Staffordshire District (0 free schools)
| Area | Size | Potential opening (September) | Academy Trust (FSP/Wave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent on future Local Plan | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Stafford Borough (4 free schools)
| Area | Size | Potential opening (September) | Academy Trust (FSP/Wave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stafford: Beaconfields Primary School (on Stafford North SDL site) | 1FE | 2024 (Open) | Creative Learning Partnership Trust (FSP) |
| Stafford: Burleyfields Primary School (on Stafford West SDL Site) | 2FE* | 2025 | Creative Learning Partnership Trust (FSP) |
| Stafford: North SDL site - Secondary (11-18) | 5FE | TBC | |
| Stafford: North SDL site - Primary | 2FE | post-5 years |
Staffordshire Moorlands District (2 free schools)
| Area | Size | Potential opening (September) | Academy Trust (FSP/Wave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leek: Location TBC - First | 1FE | post-5 years | |
| Cheadle: Froghall/Ayr Road - Primary | 1FE | post-5 years |
Tamworth Borough (1 free school)
| Area | Size | Potential opening (September) | Academy Trust (FSP/Wave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamworth: Garden Village Primary Academy | 1FE | 2024 (Open) | Fierte Multi Academy Trust (FSP) |
| NB Two free schools are in Lichfield District |
*Opening as 1FE initially, with capacity to increase subject to demographics and agreement with SCC.
**Schools are in Tamworth but located within the boundary of Lichfield District.
