A NEW free school is set to open in Feltham this September after governors signed a funding agreement.

Reach Academy will open in Bridge House, the old Job Centre next to Feltham Station, with a reception and year 7 class.

The school is due to move into new facilities at Fern House, opposite Tesco in Feltham High Street, in autumn next year.

The school's principal Ed Vainker said staff had been recruited and governors were busy developing the curriculum, with home visits to new pupils set to begin shortly.

"Our school will be different – taking children from four to 18, with only 60 pupils in each year – along with having the highest academic and behavioural expectations," he added.

Reach Academy is set to become the borough's first free school after governors signed an agreement with the Department for Education, approving its opening.

Free schools are independent, state-funded schools, which can be set up by anyone from charities to parents.

There are still some places left in year 7 at the new school. For more information, visit www.reachacademyfeltham.com .