More than 700 people attended a new school’s first open evening last night.

Families from the Three Rivers district came along to hear more about Croxley Danes School, which is set to open in 2017.

The school is also holding a public consultation, which will ask residents a range of questions about the school.

Participants will be able to give their views on whether they think the school should open; if they deem the chosen site suitable; if they are interested in sending their children there and if they agree with the criteria on which children’s places are allocated.

Head teacher Dr Josephine Valentine said: “We were delighted to welcome so many families to our open evening last night, and to receive the first applications to Croxley Danes School.

“If prospective parents were not able to come, we will have a stand at the St Clement Danes Open Day, on Saturday October 8 from 9am to 12pm, in addition to the public meetings already planned as part of the public consultation.”

These public meetings will take place at Croxley Green Baptist Church on October 4 at 7.45pm and at St Clement Danes School on October 11 at 7pm .

For 2017/18 the school will open at St Clement Danes School and will accommodate 120 students, however this will increase to 180 pupils from September 2018 onwards, when the school plans to move to its permanent site.

Families were initially told the school would open in 2016 but complications with the chosen site delayed the opening. Education chiefs also argued that south west Hertfordshire had enough secondary places in 2016, a claim that was disputed by parents.

The school is encouraging as many people as possible to contribute to the consultation. Consultations forms can be filled in online at www.croxleydanes.org.uk/339/public-consultation