REDBRIDGE is getting closer to having a new free school after an application to the Department of Education was submitted this week.

The Thomas Lucas Academy Trust (TLAT) wants to open up a 1,140-place free secondary school in the south west of the borough by September 2019.

In partnership with the Royal London Society for Blind People (RLSB), the trust promises the school will take 57 visually impaired or blind children, which is above the national average.

The site for the potential new free school has not yet been confirmed, but TLAT says it is hoping for somewhere in Wanstead, Barkingside, Newbury Park or Gants Hill.

After an initial consultation with parents, businesses and community groups in the borough, TLAT submitted its formal application to the DoE yesterday (September 28).

If successful, the next stage of the process will be a “rigorous” interview with Government officials, who could make their final decision as early as March 2017.

TLAT’s Florence Orban said she is “very excited” to be heading to the next stage of negotiations.

She said: “We will continue our community outreach in the coming months, so that if successful, we are in the best possible position to work with the whole community to set up the school.”

After talks with Redbridge Council, TLAT decided to move its potential opening date back a year to accommodate the expansion of two schools already in the borough.

RLSB’s Jenny Clegg said: “We know two schools in the borough are already expanding, so we have decided to push back our opening date to make sure demand is at its optimum when we do open our doors.”

The trust was originally hoping to set up its free school in Hounslow, but had the application rejected in October 2014.

After a shake-up of ideas, the trust is hopeful the Thomas Lucas Academy will open with 180 Year 7 pupils somewhere in Redbridge in three years’ time.

For more information about the project, see the website.