OXFORDSHIRE’S first free school has gained the finance needed to open this September.

The Europa School, near Culham, has now entered into its funding agreement with the Department for Education.

Peter Ashbourne, the principal designate of the school, said: “I am delighted that the last piece required to get Europa School UK up and running has finally fallen into place.

“We are in the full swing of preparations to complete all the work needed for the start of lessons.”

The Thame Lane school will eventually take over from the existing European School, Culham, and sticks to the same model where pupils are taught in at least two languages.

Pupils at the Europa School will initially be taught in English and French, or English and German.

The European School in Culham was set up in 1978 to cater for children of the employees of the European Commission’s JET nuclear fusion project.

But the EU funded school is preparing to close in 2017.

Andrew Parker, chair of the directors of Europa School UK, said: “We are thrilled that we have the final go ahead for Europa School UK from the Secretary of State.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past year.”

Lessons at the Europa School will begin on Tuesday, September 4.