A school place available to a pupil who satisfies particular requirements; specifically (now historical) with reference to a scheme in the U.K., introduced under the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act of 1907, whereby grant-aided secondary schools were required to award state-subsidized scholarships to some promising pupils from public elementary schools (frequently attributive).
Origin
Mid 19th century.
Definition of free place in US English:
free place
noun
A school place available to a pupil who satisfies particular requirements; specifically (now historical) with reference to a scheme in the U.K., introduced under the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act of 1907, whereby grant-aided secondary schools were required to award state-subsidized scholarships to some promising pupils from public elementary schools (frequently attributive).