PLANS have been announced for a new free school in the west of Thurrock.

They come in a wave of regional applications for new schools, after the Department of Education invited Academy sponsors to oversee the opening and running of new schools.

Catalyst Academies Trust's application is for one new all-through free school within Thurrock to open in 2023.

The Trust currently runs Aveley Primary, Benyon Primary, Dilkes Academy, Quarry Hill Academy and Somers Heath Primary.

The new school would be made up of 420 primary school places and a 600 place secondary school, as well as an additional 60 place nursery provision, in Northlake (Aveley/Ockendon/Purfleet area).

A statement from Catalyst said: "Our academies will develop the system leaders of the future through the provision of outstanding Continuing Professional Development and plentiful opportunities to lead across a group.

"In this way, our group of academies will together transform educational opportunities for pupils in Thurrock and ensure that many more will have access to outstanding provision."

Free schools are a type of academy established since 2010 under the Government's free school policy initiative.

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They are funded by the government but are not run by the local authority and therefore have more control over how they set their own pay and conditions for staff, the length of school terms and school days.

They also do not have to follow the national curriculum.

You can find out more about the Catalyst Academies Trust via the red information button below.