The Boulevard Academy is the first free school in Hull. It has been built on the site of the former rugby league ground of Hull FC at a cost of £8 millions. The school has opened its doors and the first 43 students admitted for classes. The school is independent of control from the local authorities and directly central government funded. The free school offers students to study for the English Baccalaureate qualification. It will be eventually be admitting 600 pupils in total.
Teaching unions have been opposing the opening of such free schools by government, as they feel private people’s money put into education stops control and support of local community and authorities and sees it as privatisation through the back door.
