CLASS was at last in session over at the Hoe Valley Free School yesterday (Wednesday).

Months of political and bureaucratic red tape fell by the wayside as the first wave of Year 7 students made their way to the new secondary school’s temporary home in Woking Park.

Subject to planning permission, the school’s permanent, state-of-the-art home will open on a 22-acre site on Egley Road in two years’ time.

Headteacher Penny Alford told the News & Mail that she could not wait for the first day of term.

She explained: “This is an opportunity for us to deliver a personalised, bespoke curriculum to our students. We have met every family individually and already know our students and what helps them to learn.

“Our smaller class sizes, embedded ICT and extended school day, which includes additional time for English and maths, means we can offer a rigorous and 21st-century curriculum for local families.”

Chair of Governors, Lynne O’Reilly, added: “After three years of planning and hard work, it is really fulfilling to see our first cohort of local children starting their secondary education at the school we have created.”