One of the last acts of outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron was to give the go ahead to a free school planned to open in Chatteris next year.

Visiting Reach Academy in Feltham, the PM announced 31 new free schools that will provide around 20,000 places for pupils.

Included in the list was the Chatteris proposal unveiled earlier this year by the Active Learning Trust.

Mr Cameron said: “Free schools have been at the heart of this government’s education reforms which have seen more than 1.4 million more children in good or outstanding schools since 2010.

“More than 300 have been created since I became Prime Minister and 200 are set to open meaning tens of thousands more young people, many from disadvantaged areas, finally have a choice of a good education that helps them reach their full potential.

“I am proud of what this government has achieved, working with heads and teachers to raise standards so that our young people have the best possible start in life.”

Active Learning Trust runs 14 schools in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk - including Kingsfield Primary School in Chatteris and Neale-Wade- and with a successful bid now under their belt hope to open the school in September 2017.

The free school will serve children aged three to 11 and is expected to ease the pressure on school places in Chatteris.

It will open with one reception class of 30 pupils and grow to its full capacity of 420; while a nursery will offer a further 52 places.

A free school is a non-profit-making, independent, state-funded free to attend school which is not controlled by a local authority,

Gary Peile, chief executive of The Active Learning Trust, said the new school will have a positive impact on the community.

“The trust is already working with schools in the town and feels that the new school will add considerably to its ability to meet the needs of local pupils.”

The Active Learning Trust is asking parents and carers in the area to register their support for the new school by visiting: www.activelearningtrust.org/chatteris