Primary school will move from temporary Queen’s Park location to Amberley Road in 2013

A permanent site has been found in Maida Hill for the new free school set to open in north Westminster this September.

The council has given the go-ahead for the Westminster Adult Education Services (WAES) building on Amberley Road to be used by ARK Atwood primary school from 2013.

The school is set to open its doors to 60 pupils in a temporary location on Third Avenue, Queen’s Park, in the autumn.

Its headteacher, Daniel Upfield, said: “This is great news for local families.

“We’re already working hard on our plans to open our first reception classes in September in Third Avenue. Now parents have certainty about where their children will go to school right through until they are 11.

“It’s a great location, surrounded by young families who are looking for primary school places and we intend to provide them with an exceptional school.”

The council’s plans are for the school to be part of a mixed-use development that might also include community facilities and housing, along with possible WAES facilities.

Cllr Nickie Aiken, cabinet member for children and young people, said the agreement is subject to the council working with WAES to find suitable alternative accomodation.

She said: “The school will serve the increasing number of parents who want high-quality places in a part of Westminster where there is an increasing shortage of reception vacancies.”