Plans unveiled for Cumbria's first new free school

Plans have been unveiled for a new primary school that could open during holidays and operate outside traditional school hours.

The owners of Stone Eden Nursery at Aglionby near Carlisle want to open what would be Cumbria's first new free school.

They've teamed up to work on the plans with the New Schools Network - an independent charity set up to increase the number of independent schools.

The New Schools Network provides tailored support to free schools groups as they prepare to submit an application to the Department for Education.

Free schools are new independent state schools. Charities, groups of teachers, existing schools and parents can set them up if they're able to prove the school is needed and wanted by a local community.

More than 330 children are currently on roll at Stone Eden Nursery and the owners say a free school will provide a seamless transition into primary education for many of those attending the nursery.

Under the plans, the school could open in September 2017 or September 2018.