New free school will be opening in the heart of Watford

St John’s Church of England Primary School has secured 32 Clarendon Road as the permanent site for a new free school.

The new ‘state of the art school’ is still waiting for planning permissions from Watford Borough Council but will be built where the Barclays building used to be.

The building will focus on being "energy efficient" and hopes to have the best possible learning environment for children.

Headteacher Helen Langeveld said: "It is very exciting that the children can be involved in helping design and plan their new school.

"Our temporary accommodation is now being refurbished to provide us with an excellent learning environment and I am delighted that we will have a brand new purpose built school to move into as we grow.

"The school will provide an engaging, rich curriculum with challenge for all."

Father David Stevenson, a Church of England priest who campaigned for the school, said: "I am thrilled that we have successfully secured this site in central Watford, exactly where we need new primary school places."

St John’s Church of England Primary School will open its doors to the first 30 reception pupils in September 2016, at its temporary site in Estcourt Road.

The school will be moved permanently to Clarendon Road in Spring 2018.

Applications for September 2016 have now closed, but parents interested in making an in-year application or making an application for 2017, can contact the school by emailing admin@stjohnswatford.co.uk or by calling 01923 255017.