Plans to open a new Bexley Free school in 2017 have been given the go-ahead following the government’s approval.

The new Lime Wood Free School for reception kids, has been approved by the Department for Education as part of The Woodland Academy Trust, which runs the Northumberland Heath, Peareswood and Willow Bank Primary Schools.

The new school will cater for 90 Reception children with plans in place to increase its capacity to 630 places for children aged 5-11 years old.

The Multi Academy Trust hopes the school curriculum will encourage children’s independence as learners and provide them with the motivation and skills to succeed as pupils.

Lime Wood Free School hopes to inspire all children through the use of the outdoors and strive for everyone to achieve qualifications in a wide range of adventure pursuits - opportunities they would be unlikely to have access to otherwise.

The executive principal of the Woodland Academy Trust, Mrs Angela Barry, said: “The Trust is passionate about serving the children and their families in Bexley by ensuring outstanding provision and outstanding outcomes for every child within this community.

TOP STORIES: “This new free school will support the need for places generated by housing development planned for Bexley and will reflect the aspirations we have for all of our schools and will offer another avenue of choice for parents and pupils.

“We very much look forward to embarking on this exciting journey with our governing body, dedicated staff, our supportive parents and the local community for the benefit of the local children and their families.”

Nick Timothy, Director of New Schools Network, added: “The application process to set up a free school is incredibly rigorous - so it is a testament to the hard work of the Woodland Academy Trust that they have been approved to open.

“This latest announcement means the total number of free schools open or approved to open has now exceeded 440 which marks an incredible milestone.

“Free schools are proving increasingly popular with parents and are providing good new schools places for their local communities.”

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