PLANS for a Steiner free school have moved one step closer following an invitation from the Department of Education for an interview.

In June the original proposal for Steiner Academy Five Valleys, now known as Stroud Academy, was rejected by the Education Secretary.

However, the team behind the bid for the school had always intended to re-submit their application as the feedback from the Department of Education indicated that there was a need for the school in the area.

Today, Tuesday, the team moved one step closer to opening a free school in the district after making it through to the next stage in the application process and being invited for an interview to discuss the proposal in January.

There are currently a number of fee paying schools in Stroud which are based on the principles of Rudolph Steiner – however this would have been the first state Steiner school.

Stroud Academy is estimated to accommodate more that 600 pupils