Government scraps plans for free Eton-backed school
BBCPlans by world renowned Eton College to open a free sixth form college in the north-east of England have been cancelled.
The college in Middlesbrough was proposed in 2022, with the previous Conservative government giving plans the green light in 2023.
That was paused by Labour a year ago as part of a wider review into state schools and now a "minded to cancel" decision has been made by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said it was the "right decision for our area" as it would "undermine existing colleges", while the Eton Star Partnership said it "will continue to explore ways that it can support young people in the Teesside region".
The proposed school, which was led by Eton College and Star Academies, aimed to enroll 480 students as part of plans to open selective sixth-form centres in Middlesbrough, Dudley and Oldham.
Following a consultation into 44 new free schools whose plans were frozen by the government, Philippson confirmed the decision to cancel 28 of them and that it is reviewing the other 16 sites.
Of those cancellations, £600m is set to be saved, which will play a part in funding £3bn to create around 50,000 new school places for the SEND system, from which Middlesbrough is set to be one of the beneficiaries.
The two other planned Eton Star Partnership colleges in Dudley and Oldham are to still going ahead.
'Unrealistic promises'
Former Middlesbrough South Conservative MP Sir Simon Clarke posted on social media: "The focus [of Eton Star Teesside] was to have been explicitly on supporting children on free school meals, from disadvantaged backgrounds or who would have been the first from their family to go to university.
"Eton College were going to put in £1m a year of their own money, as well as teaching support."
Middlesbrough Council thanked Eton College and Star Academies for their interest, while Middlesbrough Labour Mayor Chris Cooke said he was not surprised by the decision from the Department for Education which was based on data of student numbers.
"We haven't had much interest from Eton for some time, originally they [Eton Star Partneship] were promised completely unrealistic stuff," he added.
"So they were promised the land for free, they were promised that the council would pay for travel for all of their students, regardless if they lived in Middlesbrough or not.
"And I think once we started the process of renegotiating, and making sure that every, sort of, ask was realistic, they were very much less interested."
Chris CookeA spokesperson for the Eton Star Partnership said: "Although naturally disappointed that our proposed sixth form in Middlesbrough will no longer go ahead, the Eton Star Partnership is committed to raising educational opportunity and will continue to explore ways that it can support young people in the Teesside region.
"We would like to thank Middlesbrough Council and the many local school, college and business leaders who have engaged with us and provided support."
McDonald encouraged Eton College to continue conversations with existing education providers and "explore how they might offer support in a way that does not undermine the existing providers".
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "This government will always prioritise high and rising education standards, but that means excellence everywhere, not leaving some children to fall behind.
"We are keeping free school projects where the need is clear, protecting unique offers where children otherwise cannot access opportunities."
