IT sounds the stuff of many working parents’ dreams.

Just imagine being able to drop your youngster off at school at 8.15am and head straight off to work. And what about doing the school pick-up at any time up to 5.45pm instead of rushing to the school gate for 3pm?

How about sending your child to school now and again on Saturdays? And best of all, taking your little angel out of school in May, June and September for a cheap holiday.

Well, businessman Mike Reed is not just imagining it. He is planning to offer parents in Oxfordshire such a school, possibly by 2013.

For Mr Reed, of Iffley Road, Oxford, is working towards creating a free school in Oxford to fit around the working day of parents.

Mr Reed left school with just four O-Levels but went on to run successful property businesses and is the owner of the Banbury-based company Lumar Developments Ltd.

But more importantly, he says: “I am a man with an extended family of five children. My stepson sometimes has to leave work early to pick up their son. His wife is a nurse, who works afternoon shifts. I have a daughter who is a lawyer with two children, who also has to leave early every day to pick up children. Those who can’t afford nannies may end up giving up work for five years.”

The solution struck him when he read a story about parents in Norwich creating one of the government’s free schools.

Mr Reed, who oversees the finances of an Oxford-based firm of criminal legal aid solicitors, says he is a reluctant educational pioneer.

“I’m only going to lead this until we find a head. A teacher should be the key proposer.

“We want to give the teaching group the freedom, time, flexibility and resources needed to deliver the highest standard of education.”

“Specialists will teach modern foreign languages and music. PE will be taught within the community by professional coaches at existing centres such as Oxford United’s football ground and Oxford University Sports Centre.”

University graduates and undergraduates will allow the school to operate its extended hours.

“In Oxford we have 40,000 students all with A-Level A* grades. It is a vast pool we can call upon.”