On his final visit as prime minister, David Cameron has announced 31 new free schools, providing 20,000 places for pupils.
The free schools programme allows parents and academy trusts to set up new schools. Since the reforms began in 2010, more than 300 free schools have been established, half of which are located in deprived communities.
Mr Cameron said: 'Free schools have been at the heart of this government’s education reforms which have seen more than 1.4 million more children in good or outstanding schools since 2010.
'More than 300 have been created since I became prime minister and 200 are set to open meaning tens of thousands more young people, many from disadvantaged areas, finally have a choice of a good education that helps them reach their full potential.'
The new schools include The Avenue in north west London, catering for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and complex needs, and Reach Academy 2 in Hounslow focusing on early intervention with 2- and 3-year-olds.
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