On Tuesday 7 February, Watford MP Richard Harrington received confirmation of Government funding for Croxley Danes Free School.
The Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, has agreed to enter into a funding agreement with the Danes Educational Trust.
The free school will be a 1206 place mainstream school for 11-18 year olds and will include a 306 place sixth form. From March this year, Croxley Danes will offer 120 firm places to local children, with 180 from 2018 onward. Croxley Danes will open in temporary accommodation, on the site of St Clement Danes, in September this year, until the permanent building on Baldwin's Lane is complete.
Richard commented:
" I am absolutely delighted that a funding agreement has been reached for Croxley Danes Free School to officially open in September this year. I’ve been working towards this for quite some time, alongside our Herts County Councillors, the fantastic Headmistress Josie Valentine and Lord Nash from the Department for Education. This was the final hurdle!
Free Schools have been at the heart of the Government's education policy to increase choice as well as drive up standards. Locally we can see the positive impact they are having, with three opening in Watford in the last few years!"