The idea for a Stoke by Nayland Free School was orignally thought of by a group of parents and friends of Stoke by Nayland Middle School, currently one of the most successful and high-achieving schools in the area.  The group came together in December 2009 to try and open a secondary school on the site of the existing middle school following its proposed closure in 2013 under the Schools Organisation Review from Suffolk County Council. The aim is to preserve choice for parents and children, and stop a closure which was felt would attack a rural community with a (currently) exciting and vibrant economy.

In 2013, Suffolk County Council will be reorganising the school system from a 3 tier system to a 2 tier system.

The original proposal was for an 11 -16 secondary school, sitting within the new 2 tier system, run by the LEA. However, with the election of a new government and the introduction of the Free Schools policy by Michael Gove, this moved to a proposal, and now application, for an 11 -16 Free School on the site.

In May 2010 the County Council Cabinet voted to confirm the middle school closure, but also voted unanimously to recognise the possibility of an 11 -16 Free School on the middle school site and to instruct its officers to work constructively with the Free School group during the application process.

It was felt that this was an extremely positive stance from the Council and the community is in a very unusual position in South Suffolk to have this co-operation, in contrast with many other free school groups around the country.

With the Seckford Foundation's support and expertise it is hoped that the Stoke by Nayland Free School application, to be submitted in early 2012, will be successful.