Plans for a new Free School in St Albans city centre received government approval on 10 October 2011.

The Department for Education has approved the opening of a free school in St Albans in September 2012, providing 60 reception places only in 2012, and then 60 reception places each year thereafter.

The proposals were put forward by the free school group which is made up of a number of educationalists and local parents and fully supported by Hertfordshire County Council, who purchased the former School of Law site on Hatfield Road to accommodate this new school at a city centre location.

The free school group has announced a number of open days as they are keen to encourage prospective parents and their children to visit the site and meet the free school group.

Tuesday 1st November – 9.30am, 11.30am, 2pm
Monday 7th November – 8pm
Saturday 19th November – 10am, 12pm, 3pm
Monday 28th November – 11am, 1.30pm
Thursday 8th December – 8pm

The school will welcome children of all abilities, faiths, social and cultural backgrounds. Any parent can apply for a place at the school and admissions will be managed by Hertfordshire County Council following the same admissions rules as all other community primary schools in St. Albans. The application process for reception places for September 2012 will open on 14 November 2011 and close on 15 January 2012 and can be made through the county council web site at www.hertsdirect.org (paper application forms can be obtained by contacting the customer service centre).