Decision affects secondaries and primaries approved by previous government using its ‘free school’ application process

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Ministers have paused plans to open 44 new state schools in England, including three sixth form colleges backed by Eton, while they review each school’s potential demand and value for money.

The decision will affect mainstream secondary and primary schools that were approved by the previous government using its “free school” application process, introduced by Michael Gove in 2010.