An MP from the district has raised concerns over the ability of ordinary people to run ‘free schools’.

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe said the Government must ensure any new free schools have the right management skills to deal with any issues they may face.

Free Schools are all-ability state-funded schools set up in response to what local people say they want and need in order to improve education for children in their community.

Speaking in the Commons’ education questions, Mr Sutcliffe told MPs: “In Bradford, a number of free schools have been approved where the management have no proven skills in management techniques.”

Mr Sutcliffe fears the coalition policy of free schools is misjudged and without suitable management could damage the standards of education.

Two free school proposals in Bradford have seen their business cases approved by the Department for Education and are in the pre-opening stage. One of them, King’s Science Academy is due to open in September on a site formerly occupied by Grattan in Lidget Green. The other, the BBG Academy, is expected to open in Birkenshaw in September 2013 by the parent-led Birkenshaw, Birstall and Gomeral Community Trust. Several other proposals also hope to get final government approval.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “There is a rigorous approval procedure before any free school proposal is approved by the Secretary of State. Mr Sutcliffe should be assured that we are accepting to business case only those proposals that can demonstrate to the Secretary of State that they have a rigorous approach to leadership and management and will provide high-quality education.”

Earlier this year, the Government said it would look into the admission’s policy of King’s Science Academy secondary school after Bradford East MP David Ward claimed the school was “cherry picking pupils” despite it saying in its application it would be a non-selective school.