Parents and teachers campaigning to build a free school are “delighted” after securing a meeting with the Department of Education.

Supporters of Harperbury Free School will have the chance to push for their plans to be realised at a meeting on March 25.

In January the group gave the Department of Education a 150-page report detailing their plans to build the school on the old Harperbury Hospital site in Harper Lane between Radlett and Shenley.

Father-of-two Clive Glover, who launched the school’s campaign two years ago, said: “We’re delighted. It’s good news, seeing as though they’ve gone through our application hopefully they will want to ask us some more detailed questions.”

Mr Glover, of Woodfield Road, Radlett, launched the project after attempting to find a secondary school for his son.

He said: “I found out how complicated it was to find a good school. There were schools with different rules, some with exams, some single sex and faith schools, private schools where you have to pay lots of money – but there didn’t seem to be a school you could send your child to because you live near it.

“I did some research and found out there was huge enthusiasm for a local school. We need it in the area.”

If successful Harperbury Free School will open in September 2014, admitting its first intake of 120 students from Radlett, Shenley, London Colney, Park Street, Bricket Wood and Borehamwood.

Campaigners will receive the final decision on whether  they can build the new school in May. To find out about how to apply to Harperbury visit www.harperburyfreeschool.org.uk