A new 420-place primary school for Watford was given Government approval this week.

The proposal for St John’s Church of England Primary School was green-lit by the Department for Education following a "rigorous application and assessment process".

The new free school, proposed by St John’s Church in Sutton Road in partnership with the Diocese of St Albans, is set to open in September 2016.

Father David Stevenson, of St John’s Church, said: "I am delighted that we have been given approval to proceed with our school.

"We desperately need more school places in the Watford area and I am so pleased that the church is able to serve the community in this way.

"I am very thankful to all the parents and volunteers who have supported us so far on our journey and we can be very proud of what we have achieved.  

"We had hoped we would be able to open in September 2015 but we will need to delay until 2016 so we can make sure we find the best possible site and building for our new school.

"I know the delay will be disappointing to many of our supporters.

"This is a really exciting time for us - the Church of England has always strived to provide excellent education for all members of the community, and we see St John’s as being the latest addition to our family of church schools and once we are able to take applications, will welcome them from all members of the community."

Free schools are state-funded schools that are independent of local authority control.

They have the freedom to decide the length of school day and term, their curriculum, teacher pay and how they spend their budgets.

The location of the new primary has not been decided, but Fr David said it was stressed in their application it would be around the centre of Watford andit would work closely with its sister school, Watford Central.

Natalie Evans, director of New Schools Network, added: "The application process to set up a free school is incredibly rigorous - as it should be - so it is a testament to St John’s Church of England Primary School’s hard work that they have been approved. 

"We know this new school will be a great addition to Watford. There are now over 360 free schools open or approved around the country and they are proving popular with parents and adding good new schools places to their local communities."

The Bishop of Bedford, chairman of the Diocese of St Albans Board of Education, said: “This much-needed school results from the church responding to the local community’s needs and is a really first-class example of what can be achieved in a very short time when people work together.

"It will offer a quality education to a broad range of people in the community irrespective of faith, continuing the enduring commitment of the Church of England to serving communities in this way.”

Interested parents can find out more at www.saintjohnswatfordschool.org.uk.