£1.2m property hunt for new Moorlands grammar school in Luton

King's House Independent School in Leagrave - which caters for children aged four to 11 - announced plans for a new grammar school for secondary pupils in November (see story here).

The school, resurrecting the moniker 'Moorlands', was envisioned to open in September 2021 for Year 7 pupils.

But a surge of interest from parents and prospective teachers has seen the plans enlarged.

Now, King's House Independent School has commissioned property consultants Harrison Clark Rickerbys to find a premises for Moorlands School.

In a letter to parents, King's House headteacher Dr Andrew Cook wrote that the property consultants began their work in February and the process is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

Dr Cook stated: "The considerable press and media coverage that our move into the secondary education sector received not only led to widespread interest from prospective parents all over Luton, Dunstable and the surrounding areas, it has also resulted in a host of individuals expressing their interest in working for the new school.

"Excellent specialist teachers are absolutely key to our new school and we will leave no stone unturned in seeking the best possible candidates for these posts.

"We sense that interviews will be taking place before our return to school for the summer term.

"This is without doubt the biggest and most significant project that we have embarked upon since I purchased what is now known as the King;s House School back in 1995 and brought it to our current site in 2012.

"Everyone concerned with this exciting venture is enthused by the thought of establishing something that so many parents have called for over the three decades I have been here."

An open event is tipped to be held this summer to give parents more information about the upcoming plans. Information packs can also be requested from the website https://kingshousemoorlands.com/.