This new generation of 21st century schools includes all-through academies, schools with cutting-edge buildings and excellent sports facilities, co-location of health and community services and multi-faith centres and innovative use of IT.
Tens of thousands of pupils will be starting the new term in new buildings or new schools - including the 11-year-olds who will be the first to benefit from reforms meaning they will stay in education and training up to the age of 17.
To mark this historic milestone nine Government ministers are spending the day touring new schools in regions up and down the country and will open a total of 30 schools. Rosie Winterton visited Allerton High and Pudsey Grangefield in Leeds, and Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College and Tong High School in Bradford, to get first reactions from teachers and students.
