PARENTS hoping to establish the Worth Valley’s first secondary free school are continuing to study the public responses to a survey designed to see if enough local demand exists.

A spokesman for the Worth Valley Secondary Free School Project Team said members of the group were due to attend a meeting in Manchester on Friday.

They will then come to a decision as to whether they can demonstrate enough demand to go ahead with a formal application for a free school in May, or whether they need to defer.

The spokesman added: “This is obviously a gamble as the outcome of the general election will determine whether any new free schools are developed.

“The survey responses have been good, but could be even better.

"We have to show that the school would be full within two years of opening."

“If families and pupils want to support the bid we would ask them to visit worthvalleysecondaryfreeschool.org or go to our Facebook page.

“We’re now in the process of analysing the data we have so far, which is illustrating a really interesting picture.

“Surveys have been completed by families with children in nursery and earlier, in years one to six, also by families with children in years eight and nine and from a number of families who home educate.

“Whatever happens we’d like to thank all the parents and supporters who’ve given their time to develop the bid and gather support.”