A free school that put back its opening date in Brent by a year has now pulled out of the borough altogether.

The Gateway Academy has binned plans to open in Brent after it failed to find a site in time to open this September.

The school, for students aged 11 to 18, also failed to find a site last year leaving it unable to open in time for the start of the autumn term.

Announcing the news on the school’s website, Johnny Kyriacou, Gateway’s principal, said that they would not be opening in Brent as they were unlikely to secure a site in the future.

He added: “There are a number of challenges to securing a building in Brent and that includes rising land prices and competition against developers for all available land, which means the DfE are not able to compete financially.

“That is not to say it is impossible but it seems very unlikely.

“I would like to offer my thanks to all those parents and members of the local community who supported us and were looking forward to the opening of our school.

“I wish you and your children all the best for the future. You really do deserve the best.”

Last week another free school announced they would not be opening in Brent in September for the second year in a row.

Gladstone School were also unable to secure a site in the borough despite earmarking a plot in Neasden.

Related link: Plans to open free secondary school in Wembley postponedGladstone School delays opening in Brent for a second year