PLANS for a free school in Shepherd's Bush have been given the thumbs-up by the Government.

Education Secretary Michael Gove announced that ARK Conway Primary School's business plan had been approved at a free school conference on Saturday.

It means the school, which will be based at the old Wormholt Library, in Hemlock Road, can continue preparing for a September opening and they hope to initially start with 60 students.

Funded by education charity ARK, the school will be free from local authority control and will be one of eight free schools in the UK.

Damien McBeath, 32, headteacher, said: "This is great news for local families and means we can get on quickly with the plans to open the Academy in September.

"We'll be updating our neighbours about our plans as we go along and we look forward to talking to more parents about the school."

Mr McBeath gave an exclusive interview to the Chronicle last month where he said he was 'excited' and 'lucky' to be handed the reins and was working at recruiting 'the best teaching staff around'.

However, the debate over free schools in the borough has proved controversial.

Journalist and author Toby Young is likely to apply to set up his West London Free School at Pallingswick House, with the support of H&F Council, meaning 20 community groups will be evicted.

Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter (Lab) has also raised concerns that funding for council-run schools will suffer as a result of the free school model.

He said: "I welcome attempts to improve educational opportunities for young people in the borough.

"Hard-working headteachers like Sir William Atkinson (Phoenix High School), Dr Christine Carpenter (Sacred Heart High School) and Kevin Gilmartin (William Morris Sixth Form) are already running outstanding schools, but from buildings in desperate need of new facilities and renewal.

"All three attended a meeting with Michael Gove and myself, where we were told there was no money left for their schools. The impending opening of the free school has proved that this is patently untrue."

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