Michael Tomlinson has welcomed the news that a new school has been approved in the South West, helping to create 420 more school places in the region.
Prime Minister David Cameron vowed today he will "not waver" in his commitment to open 500 new free schools over the next five years - as he announced the first wave to be approved this Parliament and pledged to deliver two waves of new schools every year until 2020. The Government's commitment to open 500 free schools over the next five years will create 270,000 school places across the country - giving parents more choise while challenging existing schools to up their game.
Today, the first 18 projects of this parliament have had the green lights - creating more than 9,000 places across the county and giving more families the choice of an excellent education for their children than ever before.
They will join the 252 already open and the 52 new free schools opening up their doors as schools head back this week. These will bring the total number of free school places created since 2010 to more than 236,000 - making this policy the most successful new schools programme, with schools being created more quickly than ever before.
Michael commented: "In Dorset we already have a Free School successfully operational and I wish the best to both the free schools approved today, and those opening their doors this term. They will increase the number of good school places giving more parents the security of knowing their child is getting a great education.
Today's news shows that we are committed to extending this unprecedented level of choise to more parents than ever before and I know that we will see more good and outstanding school places as teachers and the government work to provide the environment for a great education for all out children."