Confirming the move to the Church's General Synod the Bishop of Ely, Rt Revd Stephen Conway, said it's part of the Church's "bold and ambitious... Christian vision for education".
The Anglican Church currently maintains 1 in 4 schools in the England and if it successfully bids to create 125 free schools by 2020 that ratio will continue.
It's push to create free schools is part of the government's pledge to create 500 by 2020.
It's been reported that the bidding process could cost the Church of England around £3m.
What are free schools?
Free schools are government funded and inspected by Ofsted
They do not have to follow the curriculum but are subject to nationwide tests e.g. GCSEs
They can be run by parents, trusts, charities, businesses or other religious or voluntary organisations
Teachers do not have not to have teaching qualifications
They are not allowed to make a profit
Supporters of free schools say they bring greater educational autonomy to parents and communities and that flexibility over the curriculum and qualifications required to teach can improve learning.
Critics say free schools often end up in areas which already have enough provision and that they are a move towards the privatisation of education.
