A visionary entrepreneur wants to set up an independent free primary school in Shepherd's Bush in a bid to ease the squeeze on places in the area.

James Woods, who lives in the town, says he has been inspired to act after speaking to a number of parents who have been forced to send their children to out-of-borough schools due to a lack of availability in Hammersmith and Fulham.

Mr Woods, 38, who currently owns a business which rents out secondary school facilities to the public out of hours, said: "I just want to give parents an option in this borough, where currently there aren't any."

He is in partnership with two former headteachers and wants to open by September next year at the latest.

He is currently searching for premises and needs the parents of 25 children to express interest before the government will provide funding to cover the charity-led school's running costs.

Mr Woods, who lives in Minford Gardens, says he has wanted to act for a long time.

"I have heard a lot of stories from parents and just thought it would be great if I could give something back to the area where I live.

"The credit crunch and deficit has seriously limited the ability of councils to invest and there is no doubt there is a need and an opportunity to do something."

Mr Woods wants the new school to be open to everyone and believes the combination of his business acumen and his parters' teaching experience will make the idea work.

Initially there will be four staff and 25 children, but he hopes to expand year-on-year.

"I think we've got enough know-how between us. We all agree it is important the school is open-entry and that we get children from all backgrounds – it makes for a better learning environment.

"It will have a traditional programme of teaching that will really concentrate on getting the basics of the maths, sciences and English right and if we can get the school to the standard of some of the current primaries in the borough then I shall be very proud."

Although concurring his idea has parallels with the concept of Prime Minister David Cameron's vision of the 'Big Society', Mr Woods says he was actually inspired by the Labour government.

"They laid the foundations to this with their 'education, education, education' drive, although David Cameron has allowed it to happen and I'm very pleased about that."

*To find out more from James contact him on 07855 330000 or email james.woods@abcacademies.org.