The Compass School in Drummond Road has been given the final go- ahead by government for September opening.

The secondary ‘free school’, which will be on the site of the old LeSoCo (Southwark College) Bermondsey campus, will open its doors to its first group of  more than 50 year 7 pupils on Wednesday 4 September.

“This final green light is what we’ve been working for and waiting for,” said Doug Lewis, chair of Compass School Trust.

“It’s very good news. We are so pleased for all our pupils and their families. They are a fantastic year 7 group and we look forward to welcoming them as the first pupils at the Compass School, Southwark. It’s the start of an exciting journey for them.

We are determined to bring high standards and lasting values to all that we do at Compass.”

Chair of governors Dale Bassett said: “This means that we can start to offer what we’ve promised all along- a powerful ethos of education, standards and aspiration.

“Our model of strong literacy and numeracy combined with a strong sense of self for every pupil is a route to each of them being the very best that they can be.”