A new free school could be opened in Hillingdon by September 2017 to “meet the demand for more school places” in the borough.

Gates Academy is a proposed new secondary free school for 11 to 18-year-olds aiming to provide a world-class, local education.

Those behind the academy say there is a “demand for school places in the Hillingdon area with a rising population and not enough secondary schools”.

Gates Academy claims it is supporting the local authority in its aims to ensure all young people are able to attend a high quality secondary school.

Free schools are set up and owned by charities, and cannot make a profit. They are independent, state-funded schools with the same legal status as academies.

Kishan Devani, the lead proposer and co-founder of the proposed school, said: “We will ensure an outstanding broad and balanced curriculum for our learners, in which they will be able to discover and explore their talents and creativity in depth, so they can excel academically.

“Global citizenship and British values will also be an essential element to our curriculum and reflect the diversity of the area both locally and nationally.”

Gates will focus on five cornerstones to provide a modern 21st century educational framework, it says, including: global citizenship, academia, the arts, enterprise and sports.

Co-founder Simon Winters OBE said: “A key focus on creating a 21st century environment through innovative use of technology and teaching of enterprise will ensure our learners are well prepared for the digital future.”

The school will have 120 pupils in each year group to offer a curriculum “tailored and relevant to pupils’ lives”.

This includes an extended school day for all pupils with extra curricular activities, use of modern technology and equipment and a house system.

Cllr David Simmonds, cabinet member for education and children’s services, said: “Hillingdon Council has an excellent track record of ensuring every child in the borough has access to a quality school place as close to home as possible.

“The delivery of our primary school expansion programme has been one of the largest and most successful programmes of its kind in London.

“As the demand for school places will continue to grow and move into secondary schools we are actively looking at all options to ensure every child of secondary school age has access to a school place and we welcome providers who can bring new opportunities for Hillingdon’s children.”

Gates Academy is inviting all interested parents, especially those with children currently in Year 4 and Year 5, to register their interest online as this will help show evidence of local demand for the school’s application to the Department for Education.

The academy has not yet submitted a planning application and is exploring a range of options north of the A40 in Hillingdon, working with the Education Funding Agency.

Parents can register their interest and find out more about the new secondary school by visiting their website or join the school’s online Facebook community.