SOUTHAMPTON’S first mainstream free school will open to pupils within two years after education chiefs backed the bid.

Hope Community School has been given the green light by the Department for Education (DfE) to accept primary school pupils in the city from September 2016, with a view to catering for 420 children.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, the school will be in the city centre and is backed by the New Generation Schools Trust in partnership with the local community, with the bid led by members of the City Life church, part of the New Community church network.

It will become the first mainstream free school in the area, which means it has been set up independently of local education authorities with direct funding from central government.

Although designated as a school of religious character, Hope Community School will be open to and inclusive of people of all faiths and those of no faith.

Billy Kennedy, who led the local bid team, said: “We are really delighted to have received this decision from the DfE.

“We have gathered huge support from the local community, prospective parents and businesses.

“We are looking forward to working with them all, the DfE and Southampton City Council as we open the school and welcome the first children and their families to Hope Community School.”

The bid for the school was made in response to a predicted shortage of spaces for primary school children in the city.

Free schools have been a flagship policy of the Government to try and encourage groups to set up schools which responds to the needs of the community, but has faced criticism by those who believe they could be divisive.

No decision has yet been made on where Hope Community School will be located. Initially Central Hall was mooted as a potential venue when the plan was to open in September 2015.

Now the opening is being earmarked for 2016, a shortlist of potential locations will now be drawn up for a permanent site within the SO14 postcode area.

The DfE has also approved the opening of the Eaglewood Free School in New Milton.

The Daily Echo reported in March how a bid, led by the Arnewood school, was being put together to cater for both primary and secondary students whose emotional and social needs prevent them from attending a mainstream school.

It is anticipated that the school with be able to offer 72 places and open in September 2015.