A NEW primary school conceived by Crystal Palace parents is one of four new free schools in Croydon approved by the Government yesterday.
The Crystal Palace Primary School is set to open in September 2015 after Education Secretary Michael Gove approved 38 new free schools across the country.
Two of those approved will be part of the ARK group of schools – ARK Croydon Primary Academy and ARK Croydon Secondary Academy.
STEM, which runs an academy in Hackney, will open the STEM Academy Croydon Gateway.
Crystal Palace Primary will open to 60 reception pupils next September with a final capacity of 420.
The school, which will use a ballot system for admissions, is the brainchild of a group of parents fed up with a lack of choice in schools for their children in the area.
Jacqui Esimaje-Heat, of the school's steering group, said: "We are excited to move forward with our plans for the school, continuing our work with the local community to secure premises, recruit an outstanding Headteacher and admit the first cohort of pupils in September 2015.
"Our plans also offer the opportunity to involve our diverse community in the delivery of an after-school Enrichment Club, which will enhance learning through creative and leisure activities such as rock climbing, photography and cooking."
Prime Minister David Cameron said the plans ARK and STEM have to address post-16 performance in Croydon were "truly commendable".
