Southwark Free School, which plans to open in temporary premises this September before moving to its permanent home in Rotherhithe New Road, has extended its application period until 25 May.

The two-form entry primary school hopes to attract interest from parents of children who last week learned that their application to Southwark Council for a local school place had been unsuccessful.

Southwark Free School is planning to open with 60 children in reception and will eventually accommodate up to 420 children as well as up to 60 nursery places. It will be on the site of the old print works at 399 Rotherhithe New Road, although it will initially open in temporary accommodation nearby.

“We are committed to providing an outstanding new primary school in Southwark,” says Patrick Shine, chair of Southwark Free School Trust.

“We are delighted to be able to offer parents more choice and greater access to high quality education provision, particularly in light of the current shortage of primary school places.

“Southwark Free School will lie at the heart of the community and will be a place where all children will benefit from a first class education. Our application process is now open and we are keen to hear from any parents interested in finding out more about the school.”

To give people the opportunity to find out more about the school and what it hopes to achieve interim head teacher Geri Askin will be available to talk to parents at the following locations:

• Outside Thorowgood’s Furniture Store, Southwark Park Road Monday to Friday from 1pm to 3pm
• Outside Asda on the Old Kent Road every Monday from 10am to 12 noon
• Outside Tesco at Surrey Quays on Saturday 28 April from 9.30am to 6pm

Further details of the application process can be found at www.southwarkfreeschool.com

Plans for a University Technical College (UTC) on the Southwark College site in Keetons Road have been delayed.

The revelation comes in a report prepared for Monday’s meeting of the council’s education scrutiny sub-committee:

16. The DfE has now approved the deferral of the opening of the UTC to September 2013. This date remains challenging and there is uncertainty associated with the project as a result of the proposed merger of Lewisham and Southwark College and the potential for this to result in the non-availability of the site or the necessary ancillary facilities for the UTC.

Meanwhile Compass Free School is still looking for premises for its proposed secondary school.

The Southwark Free School now has a permanent site for its primary school in Rotherhithe New Road but it still needs a temporary home if it is to open on schedule this autumn.

The council is also considering the potential expansion of St Michael’s College or the City of London Academy to meet the expected need for extra secondary school places in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.