The Department for Education has launched a tender for a £1.5 million contract to provide support to new free schools.
The contract will start in March of this year and run for two years with the option of a 12-month extension.
The New Schools Network, which has received government funding to provide free school support for more than 10 years, has told Tes that it intends to bid for the new contract.
The charity has successfully bid for four consecutive free school support contracts from the DfE previously.
The DfE tender document says the contractor who delivers the free school support service should generate interest and support applicants for special, alternative provision and mainstream free school waves.
It also says the provider will work with local councils to identify the applicant or trust best suited to opening new special free schools.
The contract is said to be worth £1,485,000.
Sophie Harrison-Byrne, director of the New Schools Network, said: “With over 10 years of experience, and having supported over 1,500 free schools applicants during that time, we are keen to continue playing a role in helping new free schools come forward to establish themselves as real beacons of excellence in their local communities.
“There is now a thriving network of new schools, led by inspirational and pioneering leaders who are really changing the face of education across the country.
“They are some of the highest performing schools in the country - both in terms of public exams and tests, but also in Ofsted’s eyes - and we’re keen to see more new free schools as soon as possible, especially in parts of the country that have yet to benefit from one.”
The New Schools Network was set up in 2009 by Rachel Wolf, a former adviser to Michael Gove, the then shadow education secretary when the Conservative Party was in opposition.
The charity helped to support the delivery of the new coalition government’s free schools policy after the 2010 general election when Mr Gove became education secretary.
The DfE has been contacted for comment.
