The official opening of Bexley’s first free school is taking place on Saturday, September 7 from 2 to 4pm.

Hope Community School at 167 Rectory Lane, Bexley, is holding the open afternoon when members of the local community will be able to see how the school has been refurbished ready for its first intake of pupils.

The site was previously the premises for private prep school Harenc which went into administration in 2011. In July an agreement was reached with the New Generation School Trust for it to use the site to open Hope Community School. Ofsted then gave its approval for the project after a pre-registration report.

Twenty six pupils are now enrolled for the inaugural 30-place reception class.

Lisa Morris is its new principal. She had previous roles teaching at Brinishe Primary in Forest Hill and as deputy head teacher at Birkbeck Primary School.

The school, which started as an idea by parents at the Lark in the Park fun day, hopes to grow year on year reaching full capacity by 2019.

While Christianity provides the guiding principles, it is being stresses it is not a faith school, instead promising a place for children “to explore their own personal beliefs and faith in a safe place.”

For more information email info@hopecommunityschool.org