TEACHERS are hoping to open a new free school for children with autism which will help them overcome “learning barriers”.

The Windmill School could open in Barnet in September 2018 if approved by the Department for Education.

Leaders at Oak Lodge School, Heath View, in East Finchley, which looks after children with learning disabilities, helped submit the application and are now looking forward to the next stage.

Deputy head teacher, Ian Kingham said: “We are really excited about this project and hope we will hear a positive message from the DfE.

“The school will enable teachers to create a learning environment that is specifically designed to help people with autism, and is sensitive to their needs.”

Oak Lodge School, which was named Outstanding by Ofsted, spent months putting the application together.

If it is approved, they will be invited back for a “rigorous” interview with the Department for Education who will decide if it should be approved.

Lynda Walker, head teacher of Oak Lodge School said: “Currently, there is no autism-specific maintained school in Barnet.

“The Windmill School will offer places for children and young people whose autism is the major barrier to their learning and would find the busy environments of both mainstream and generic special schools too challenging.

“We would like to thank parents from across the local area and beyond for their tremendous interest and are excited to know that our proposal has such support.

“We look forward to meeting the challenges to come in order to establish what we intend to be another outstanding education facility that will complement the existing fantastic schools and special provisions in Barnet.”