The group who operate Walthamstow Academy will now be able to open a new primary free school in Walthamstow following an approval announcement from the Department of Education earlier today.

United Learning, who operate the secondary academy which opened in 2006, were today successful in their bid for the school to open in September 2014.

The new co-educational school will initially open with just a reception group and will grow its pupil body a year at a time.

Emma Skae, Principal of Walthamstow Academy, said: “Walthamstow Academy is really pleased to be involved in the opening of a primary free school in Waltham Forest.

“We are committed to sharing good practice and to working with other schools and with the local community, and a new United Learning primary free school gives us another opportunity to do just that.”

She added that they were also pleased to be able to help to solve the problem of a shortage of primary places in the area.

United Learning will now work with Waltham Forest Council, the DfE and the local community to develop plans for the new school with a view to it opening in September next year.

Jon Coles, Group Chief Executive of United Learning, said: “We are delighted that our application for a primary free school in Waltham Forest has been approved to go through to the pre-opening stage.

“As we demonstrated in our application, there is significant demand for a new primary school in the area and we look forward to working with the local community to create a school which properly meets the needs of local families.”

United Learning is a group of over 30 academies and independent schools including 20 with primary provision.