Evaluating the Impact of Free Schools

Dr Will Cook’s research, conducted in partnership with the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), provided the most rigorous evaluation to date of the impact of secondary free schools in England. Using linked administrative data, the study found that attending a free school was associated with improved GCSE attainment, lower absence rates, increased A-level participation, and higher rates of university enrolment.

The findings have contributed to ongoing national debates about the future of the free schools programme. Published by NFER and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the research provides policymakers with robust evidence on the effectiveness of a major education reform and its potential role in improving opportunities for young people, particularly those living in disadvantaged areas.

View Will’s research here.