A STEINER Academy in Stroud is one step closer after representatives were interviewed for the Department for Education application process.

Representatives from Steiner Academy Five Valleys attended an interview at the department to discuss the application for a Steiner free school to accommodate 600 students and to open next year. The plan was proposed by Stroud Steiner Free School Initiative.

Tarra Gilder-Raj, from Steiner Academy Five Valleys, said: “We are excited to have made it to the next stage in the approval process and feel extremely optimistic about the future of the school.

“Since submitting our application in January we have averaged more than 10 new sign-ups each week and continue to be overwhelmed with the level of local support.

“To date, 770 families, representing over 1,200 children, have come forward to support our proposal. We hope to have some positive news to share with them by June, when we expect to hear whether our application has been approved.”