PARENTS say they will not give up on plans to open a 800-pupil “free school” in Harwell despite education chiefs saying they could not demonstrate enough demand.

The New Oxford School Trust applied to set up a school linked to hi-tech companies in Science Vale UK, and offering a curriculum focussed on engineering, science and business.

It would have been independently run, but funded by Whitehall.

But the trust has now been told by ministers that it cannot go ahead unless a stronger demand for places is demonstrated across South Oxfordshire.

Education Secretary Michael Gove introduced so-called free schools last year, allowing parents, teachers or charities to set up their own state-funded but independently run schools.

Harwell project champion Joanna Birkett said the Department for Education (DfE) asked the trust to show there were enough parents committed the school to fill 50 per cent of places in its first two years – equivalent to about 45 pupils.

She said: “We were working towards that and hoping desperately to get to that point.

“We have continued to have considerable contact through our website and a favourable response. But we did not have enough people signed up at the highest level of commitment possible.”

She added: “We are somewhat bemused about how they can expect a brand new school to start up and guarantee those commitments. But we are not just giving up.

“We will hold a meeting to decide how to proceed, and we believe from all the work we have done, particularly with businesses, that it would really complement the existing education in the area.”

Under the trust’s plans, backed by schools federation the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation, the school would offer work experience opportunities and skills training for the pupils at employers across the area.

It had earmarked a site in the Harwell Oxford science park, and had aimed to open next year.

But the heads of the nearby schools, including St Birinus School, Didcot Girls School and King Alfred’s in Wantage have opposed the plans, saying it would add little to the education already available.

But Mrs Birkett said: “There is already major house building happening, and as the county council told us, there is going to be a need for another three schools in the area in the next few years.”

Meanwhile, the education consultant behind plans for a new free school pupil referral unit near Bicester, has been called for an 90-minute interview at the DfE next month before ministers decide on those proposal.

Richard Kennell wants to open a 60-place school, which does not yet have a confirmed site, for excluded 11 to 16-year-olds next September, aimed at re-engaging them with studies.

He said: “We will have to present more detail and talk further about some of the aspects of it, and they will grill us about the finances and our ability to run the school.”

And supporters of The European School in Culham, who want to protect its unique multi-lingual education after it closes in 2017 by opening a free school running in parallel on the site, have also cleared the next hurdle for their bid.

They will be interviewed by officials in August.

Steering group chairman Maurizio Fantato said: “We are inching forwards, but it is a step at a time.”