The latest batch of successful school applications announced yesterday, which include 13 in London, were approved as part of a fast-track process. Further applications will be announced in the coming months.

The successful bidders will now begin to confirm sites with many due to open by September 2017.

In one of his last official announcements Prime Minster David Cameron said: “Free schools have been at the heart of this government’s education reforms which have seen more than 1.4m more children in good or outstanding schools since 2010.

“More than 300 have been created since I became Prime Minister and 200 are set to open meaning tens of thousands more young people, many from disadvantaged areas, finally have a choice of a good education that helps them reach their full potential.”