Plans for a modern Orthodox free school in Golders Green are a step closer with the announcement that it has reached the final stage of the application process.

The Golders Green Jewish Primary School has met the criteria set by the government's free schools programme and is now through to the interview stage. Backed by the Chief Rabbi, it will be presided over by Golders Green United Synagogue's Rabbi Harvey Belovski.

Under the terms of the scheme, it will be required to accept 50 per cent of pupils on a faith basis and 50 per cent on proximity.

GGJPS steering committee chair Rachel Clark said: "We view the invitation to interview as very good news and look forward to explaining our proposal in person to senior officials at the department."

She hoped the school would be ready to open in September 2012 with a reception class. The Department for Education is due to make its decision next month.

‘We look forward to explaining our proposal in person’

Etz Chaim in Mill Hill and Eden Primary in Haringey were among the first 16 applications accepted for free school status and are set to start in September.

Leaders of a campaign for a 210-place free Jewish high school in Leeds are challenging the DfE's rejection of their scheme.