New Constable Educational Trust primary school planned at Mile End

A new independent primary school is planned to open in London’s East End in September which will be free and non-selective.

Six-week public consultations begin on Monday for the proposed school in Mile End, although the location is still being finalised.

It is being planned by the Constable Educational Trust with two Reception classes and a Year 1 class, subject to Funding arrangements, then expanded year-on-year to 350 pupils up to Year 6 by 2017.

“We want to provide an additional school for the area that will be non-selective and free,” said the educational trust’s chairman Richard Simmons.

“Parents can apply for a place without affecting existing choices, even if they’ve been allocated a place elsewhere which won’t be taken away until a place at the new school has been confirmed and accepted.”

It is part of the new independent schools movement funded directly by Whitehall after legislation brought in by the Government last year.

A public meeting is being held on May 3 at The Kirtland centre in Coborn Street, Mile End, where people can meet the proposed school’s new Headteacher, Helen O’ Donoghue, between 4pm and 7pm. A prospective parents’ meeting is also planned on May 17 at the centre, 4-7pm.

But consultations begin Monday for six weeks until May 25, with leaflets at Tower Hamlets Ideas Stores, libraries, community centres, nurseries and early learning centres, a message phone-line on 020-7924 5109 and an online questionnaire at www.cetps.org.uk/towerhamlets.