Funding has finally been secured for a new secondary school in Harpenden.

The Department for Education has approved the Harpenden Secondary Education Trust’s request for funding needed to deliver a new secondary school and defer its opening to September 2018.

David Williams, the county council's education lead, said: “I’m delighted that the trust has received this much anticipated news.

"The new school is really important to people in the local area so I’m thrilled that the opening of the new school is another step closer.”

READ MORE: New secondary school in Harpenden may not be completed on time.

The county council has already put contingency arrangements in place to ensure there are enough places in schools in the local area to accommodate all pupils that need a place.

This is being achieved by expanding existing schools in St Albans.

The trust and the Education Funding Agency will now continue with their delivery programme, with a view to opening the school as soon as possible.

David Williams continued: “I know some parents may be disappointed the opening is going to be a year later than originally hoped but I’d like to give reassurance that we had already prepared for this scenario and made arrangements with other local schools to accommodate additional pupils if needed.

“There are a lot of things that all need to come together before the new school can open but all parties are committed to making this happen in the quickest possible timescales. Now that these key decisions have been made, the Trust and the EFA can progress the next stages of their programme.”