Boris unveils new free school plans

London Mayor Boris Johnson unveiled plans for the new permanent home of an "all-through" free school today.

On a visit to Reach Academy Feltham in Feltham, west London, the Mayor met Year 7 pupils and handed out awards, as well as joining reception class pupils for the school's hallmark family service lunch.

He unveiled plans for the permanent home of the new Free School to be built in Feltham High Street. When full, the school, which opened in September 2012, will take pupils aged from four to 18.

The school will have a nursery and sixth-form block, sports hall with sports pitch on top, as well as a drama studio, performance spaces and specialist teaching spaces for science, art and music.

Mr Johnson said: "Reach Academy Feltham is a terrific example of what can be achieved by a driven, committed group of people, wanting to offer an exceptional education to all children.

"It brilliantly shows how existing buildings can be converted into high-quality teaching spaces, which in turn will help transform the lives of local youngsters.

"My education inquiry identified an urgent need for more buildings to be made available for groups wanting to set up free schools and we will do all we can to help identify suitable sites."

Principal Ed Vainker added: "It is exciting to have the Mayor see the impact of the hard work pupils, staff members and parents have put in since we opened in September."We believe that every one of our pupils is capable of academic success, and the Mayor has seen them on a path towards the lives of choice and opportunity they deserve."