PM Speech – Free
Schools Reception
Back in 2001, when I was shadow Education Secretary, I started
talking about an exciting new policy that would see opportunities
opened for new schools – but not by local authorities.
A radical new approach to education.
One that would give parents greater choice, give communities more
school places and, most important of all, give more children the
best possible start in life.
And of course lots of people said “don’t be so silly, Theresa,
that is never going to work!” But 20 years on, here we are.
Already, almost 450 free schools are up and running right across
England, giving hundreds of thousands of pupils, many in
disadvantaged areas, the kind of top-class education that every
child in the country deserves.
Indeed, almost a third of Free Schools are rated “outstanding” by
Ofsted – a higher proportion than any other type of school.
So I want to echo Damian’s words and let me just say a big thank
you to everyone here.
Thank you for everything you have done, for your vision and thank
you to the extraordinary pupils who have shared their brilliant
artwork with us today, and to Sarah and Simon for their wonderful
performances just now.
Thank you to everyone behind the new schools opening their doors
in September.
Thank you to those of you applying to open a school as part of
wave 13, the details of which we will announce in the coming
weeks.
And, finally, thank you to everyone who, since 2010, has helped
to make free schools such a success.
It’s easy to look up the number of children currently attending a
free school.
But the schools you have created and built up are not just for
today in this moment.
Because of your hard work and dedication, countless children are
benefiting for generations to come.
An unknown and unknowable number of lives transformed, of talents
unleashed, of opportunities made possible.
And because you and others like you chose to stand up and do
something incredible.
Through my career, throughout my life, I’ve always believed that
where a child gets to in life should depend on their individual
talents, not their background.
You are helping make that ambition a reality.
This morning I spoke at the launch of a new report on the future
of post-18 education, and I talked about how the key to tackling
so many burning injustices lies in education.
Get education right and the rest will follow.
That’s as true for primary and secondary education as it is for
the tertiary sector, and that’s why free schools are so important
and are making such a difference.
I could go on and stand here all day singing your praises but, as
Damian said, it’s half term – I’m sure everyone would rather
relax a little at this time.
So thank you all once again for coming, enjoy the rest of the
afternoon, and keep on doing what you do so well – changing young
lives for the better.
