Matthew Hancock Celebrates Success for Breckland Free School

The approval by the Department for Education (DfE) of Breckland Free School has been warmly welcomed by Matthew as a huge contribution to the future of the town.

The SABRES Educational Trust, who have been campaigning to found a Free School in Brandon on the site of the closing Middle School, are celebrating after the DfE gave the go ahead for their school. Their application has been approved following tireless work over three years by the SABRES team and their chosen Education Provider IES UK.

There has been wide support for the school, particularly from local MP Matthew Hancock and from the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove.

Their success will ensure that Brandon continues to enjoy top quality education for 11 – 16 year olds that previously looked as if it could be lost this year. Instead, IES Breckland will open to students of all backgrounds in September and it is currently accepting applications.

Matthew Hancock said: ‘Everyone in Brandon can celebrate today’s news: that Breckland School will rise from the closure of the Middle School as a brand new Free School, to be run by an exceptional education provider IES. It is a huge boost for parents and pupils, and for the whole of Brandon.

For too long Brandon has felt let down, and this decision is a moment when the town can look forward to the future with confidence. Brandon has much going for it, and after today’s decision, thanks to Michael Gove’s new Free School policy, the town can be confident of the future of its school.

The SABRES campaign group deserve to be proud of their achievement after many years of painstaking and determined work. They have done themselves and their community proud. Brandon’s future starts here.’