A project to bring an Eton-linked school to Oldham town centre could be in jeopardy after a government decision to ‘review’ plans to build more than 40 free schools across the country.
The Eton Star Academy was recently tipped to take over the Tommyfield Outdoor Market, with planning applications expected to be submitted in November.
But the selective state school, backed by a £1m starter boost from the elite boarding school, has been put under review as part of a Department for Education scheme to ensure new schools ‘meet local needs’ and ‘offer value for taxpayers’ money’. READ NEXT: The Manchester Arena bomb conspiracy theorist who spouted 'false allegations' for 'commercial gain' Baroness Jacqui Smith of Malvern, a minister for education, told the House of Lords on October 22 she was asking officials to ‘look into’ 44 mainstream free schools planned by the last government.
Eton’s three projects with Star Academy in Oldham, Dudley and Middleborough are among the schools under review. Baroness Smith criticised the Conservative government for their focus on financing new projects, suggesting some of the funding ‘could have been put to better use improving the deteriorating condition of our existing schools’.