MINISTERS PAUSE PLANS TO OPEN 44 STATE SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND-The Department for Education said more details would be published “in due course”.

Ministers have halted plans to open 44 new state schools in England,  including three sixth-form colleges backed by Eton, while they review each school’s potential demand and value for money.

The decision will affect mainstream secondary and primary schools that were approved by the previous government using its “free school” application process.

The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson told parliament that she has asked officials to review the schools that had been approved but had not yet opened, excluding new special schools and alternative provision.

Our priority is to ensure children thrive in education, whatever type of school they are in – including free schools. Capacity varies from place to place, so we will continue to open new schools where they are needed.” she said

The Department for Education said more details on the school projects affected and the scope of the review would be published “in due course”.