A new school has been given the green light from the Department for Education and will open in September to its first cohort of students.

Dr Josephine Valentine, head teacher at St Clement Danes, received a letter from Lord Nash, the Schools Minister, on February 9 which said: "The Secretary of State has agreed to enter into a funding agreement with the Danes Educational Trust in relation to Croxley Danes School.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the great commitment and energy which you and your colleagues have shown in reaching this point."

Croxley Danes School will cater for up to 1,200 pupils, both male and female, aged from 11 to 18.

The new school will be on the site of St Clement Danes for its first year before moving to a permanent site at the bottom of Baldwins Lane, in Croxley Green.

READ MORE: Head teacher appointed for new Croxley Danes School, in Croxley Green, opening next year

Dr Valentine said: "I am thrilled that this agreement has been reached which will allow us to offer firm places to 120 local children in March this year, and 180 children per year from 2018 onwards.

"I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of all those involved in getting to this point: the team at Croxley Danes, the Education Funding Agency, the Department for Education, Hertfordshire County Council and all the local schools, parents, councillors and MPs who have supported us.

"We will ensure that we deliver a high quality school to enhance the community in Croxley Green and provide its children with an exceptional education long into the future."

The school is continuing to accept applications which will be considered once those who applied by October 31 have all been offered places.