More than 4,500 school places will be created in Greater Manchester after proposals for five new schools were approved.
The secondary schools will be created in Salford, Wigan and Oldham and two in Rochdale.
Announcing the plans the Government said they will be situated in the borough's most underperforming areas where children are most in need.
Around 4,500 places will be created across the free schools - which have Government funding but aren't run by the local council - but it is not yet known exactly how many places will be made available at some of the schools.
In Oldham, a huge new free high school catering for 1,200 pupils will open in the city centre.
The Cranmer Education Trust has been successful in its application to open a new eight-form entry secondary to meet a shortage of school places in the borough.
Currently the trust runs Blue Coat school, Mayfield Primary and East Crompton St George’s Primary schools, and trains new secondary and primary teachers.
They will now work on finalising the chosen site for Blue Coat II and preparing to open in 2022.
Julie Hollis, CEO of The Cramner Education Trust thanked supporters who had backed the school proposal, adding it had been a 'long hard slog' to reach this point.
“This is something we have wanted to do for a long time and is great news for Oldham and for the trust," she said.
“We could not have achieved this without you.
“Our focus now is ensuring that all Oldham children and young people have the opportunity of another great secondary school in the town centre."
Blue Coat school is the second most oversubscribed secondary in Greater Manchester.
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However the admission policy for the new school will differ from Blue Coat, as although it will be a Church of England school, half the places will not be faith-based and will be allocated in three geographical zones around the school.
For faith-based admissions, all Christian denominations will be treated equally.
A quarter of the places will be for children of other faiths.
Oldham council leader Sean Fielding said: "We've been impressed by the trust's plans and their commitment to creating more places for our young people and the borough.
“Not only will they be building a state-of-the-art school, but they will also be helping us to meet the demand for school places.
“Year on year the trust delivers excellent education outcomes here in Oldham, and this fits with our vision to raise attainment levels and standards across the borough."
In Rochdale, The Altus Education Partnership, which currently acts as the governing body of Rochdale Sixth Form College, will open The Edgar Wocarnod Academy.
It is expected to open at a site in Bowlee, in Middleton.
The Star Academies multi-academy trust will open the Star Leadership Academy in Rochdale.
It is expected be built on Littleborough Playing Fields.
Both of Rochdale's new schools are expected to open in September 2021.
Coun Allen Brett, leader of Rochdale Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded two new secondary schools, it is a fantastic achievement that we’re all really proud of.
"They will both bring huge benefits to our communities and the regeneration of our towns.
"We are really grateful for the support of partners involved in the bids, Star and Altus, they both have a fantastic reputation and we are looking forward to working together on another exciting new development for the borough.”
Star Academies Trust will also open a new school in Salford; the Star Leadership Academy in Salford.
The site of the school is yet to be confirmed.
The King's Leadership Academy will be opened in Wigan as part of The Great School Trust. It is not yet clear where this will be.
Salford and Wigan council's have been contacted for a comment.
The plans were approved by the Education Secretary on Friday, as part of a UK-wide initiative to create free schools.
Damian Hinds announced plans for 22 new schools across the country, creating 19,000 extra places.
He said 18 of the new schools would open in local authorities identified by the Department for Education as having the lowest educational performance and insufficient capacity to improve.
They are in areas which have not yet been included in the Government's free schools programme.
Damian Hinds said: “Free Schools have revolutionised education in this country – through their innovation and a different way of thinking about teaching and learning they are a fantastic addition to our education system.
“Many parts of the country have already taken advantage of the Free School Programme and have reaped the benefits.
A great education is the key to unlocking every child’s potential so today we are announcing 22 new free schools so more young people – often in the most disadvantaged areas of the country – can benefit from a great free school opening in their area.
“I look forward to seeing the schools as they are built, and how the young people studying there flourish and go on to succeed.”
