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A Free School is a school in England funded by the tax-payer, non-selective and free to attend but not controlled by local authorities. The concept of free schools is based upon a similar model found in Sweden as well as US charter schools.

Free schools are part of changes by the Conservative-Liberal coalition following the 2010 general election whereby it will be possible for parents, teachers, charities and businesses to set up their own school. Free schools are an extension of the existing Academies Programme. The Academies Act 2010 authorises the creation of free schools and allows all existing state schools to become academy schools. The first 24 free schools opened in autumn 2011.

Free schools will be able to set their own admissions policies. To set up a free school, groups apply to the Department for Education. Conservative Education Secretary Michael Gove said he had ruled out religious fundamentalist groups being able to set up free schools. (Per student) funding is on an equivalent basis with other locally controlled (state maintained) schools. Free schools have latitude for developing a broad and balanced curriculum. They are still subject to Ofsted inspections and are expected to comply with standard performance measures.

In the autumn of 2010, Education Secretary Michael Gove announced that 16 proposals for free schools had been given a green light by the Government and were expected to open in September 2011. Five of the schools will be faith schools: two Jewish, one Evangelical Anglican, one Hindu and one Sikh.