Given the success and popularity of free schools, we need more of them in Sunderland as they are raising standards and expectations.
Currently, the city has only one but it is proving a success with high parental demand for places and excellent academic standards.
Nationally, three quarters of free schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, which is far more than other types of state schools.
Above all, this helps the poorest pupils as most free schools are in deprived areas meeting the needs of parents for better school places.