PLANS for a free school in Beckenham have moved forward after approval was given by the government.

The secondary school will be run by the Harris Federation of Academies and is one of 10 to have been progressed to the next stage by the Department for Education.

Harris, which has nine academies across south London, aims to open the mixed school in September 2012 although the exact location is yet to be disclosed.

More than 1,000 parents from campaign group Harris Into Beckenham petitioned the government for a free school.

Harris chief executive Dr Dan Moynihan said: “The Department for Education recognises there’s really strong parental demand in Beckenham to have a Harris education.

“Having official approval is a huge step forward.”

Beckenham mum-of-two Christine Stephen, aged 42, said: “I’m backing the free school because I want the option to send my children to a good local co-ed school.

“My nearest co-ed school in Bromley is Hayes School and as I live in Beckenham, I wouldn’t be offered a place as I’m too far away.”

Carrie Bateman, whose child attends Year 9 at the Harris Academy in South Norwood, said: “We put our faith in the fantastic reputation of the Harris brand and we have never looked back.”

Campaigners had originally wanted Harris to convert Beckenham’s Kelsey Park Sports College into an academy which Dr Moynihan says is still open for consideration.

Dr Moynihan said: “We still think we can build on the improvements that have been made.”

The proposal now moves on to the business case and plan stage, where applicants must demonstrate they can run a school.