A new special free school is in the pipeline to open in Ickenham in January next year.

The school - if it gets the go ahead from the Department for Education - will make up part of The Eden Academy group of schools, which already runs Alexandra School in Alexandra Avenue, Harrow, Grangewood School in Fore Street, Eastcote and Moorcroft School in Bramble Close, Hillingdon.

It also works with the Royal National Institute for the Blind at Sunshine House School in Northwood which, along with Grangewood School, received an Outstanding Ofsted rating this year.

The Eden Academy specialises in schools for children and young people with special educational needs and its new free school at the former US air force school in Pentland Way, Ickenham, will cater for students with severe to moderate learning difficulties, including pupils with autistic spectrum disorder.

Named Pentland Field School, the plan is for it to become the Academy’s first all-through school for pupils from the age of five to 19-years-old who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs or a newly-introduced Education, Health and Care Plan.

The school will be refurbished to provide purpose-built accommodation for 32 pupils when it opens in January 2015.

It will eventually teach 140 pupils after a phased period of extension, building new classrooms, therapy rooms and an outside space for play and exploration.

The proposal is in a period of consultation which means the school is looking for feedback from people in the borough to the new school plan.

Eden Academy principal, John Ayres, said: "As part of our consultation process we are holding two public information meetings where there will be an opportunity to hear more about our plans for the school, meet with key members of staff including the new head of school, and ask any questions you may have.

"We all look forward to meeting with parents, teachers and community members."

The public meetings will be held on Monday, September 29 at 1.30pm in Ickenham Village Hall, Swakeleys Road, or on Tuesday, September 30 at 7.30pm at Grangewood School, Eastcote.

Alternatively you can fill out a short online questionnaire at www.theedenacademy.co.uk or request a paper copy by calling The Eden Academy on 01895 676401 or emailing info@theedenacademy.co.uk.