Plans to open a new seconday free school for as many as 1,400 pupils have been submitted to the government.

This week, it was announced by the cabinet member for children and young people in Waltham Forest, Cllr Mark Rusling, that as many as four secondary schools must be opened in the next eight years to meet demand in the borough.

With the population expecting to swell, the council must take action to avoid pupils being left without places, he said.

The new school would not be under local authority control, an arrangement that critics say removes accountability and takes money away from other schools. 

Proposals for the new free school have been submitted to the Department for Education by the Lion Academy Trust.

If successful, Barclay Secondary Free School will open in September 2016 and cater for 1,400 students aged 11-18 in a "non-denominational, mixed-gender setting".

Education and budgetary plans have been submitted to the government by the trust, which has links to the Waltham Forest Teaching School Alliance.

The next stage will see the Lion Academy Trust interviewed by the Department for Education.

Justin James, chief executive of the Lion Academy Trust, said 1,200 parents have signed up to say they would be interested in sending their children to the propsed school.

“We are delighted to have received so much support and encouragement from parents locally.

"It is clear that the offer of a new school, run for students and based on a 'no excuses' culture is what parents are calling out for,” he added.