Yavneh College in Borehamwood is reviving plans for a primary section and intends to submit an application for a free school to the Department for Education at "the earliest opportunity".

In a letter to Yavneh parents on Wednesday, governors' chair Susan Nyman wrote that three years ago, the trustees applied to the local authority to open a primary section in a state-of-the-art building. Although planning permission was granted, funding was not available from the council.

Since then, the trustees had explored alternative options and had now come up with the proposal for a two-form entry free school on its Hillside Avenue site under the auspices of the Yavneh College Trust.

"Three years ago, there was no question about the tremendous local need for an Orthodox primary school and, if anything, that need has only become more pronounced in the time since our initial application," Ms Nyman wrote. "We will be working towards opening the school in September 2016, but that may have to be revised once the application process is under way."

Benefits of a primary section would include "a direct feed of pupils from the primary into the secondary, shared use of resources, enhanced facilities for Yavneh College and increased opportunities for staff development and training".

Demand for a modern Orthodox primary has only grown

The JC reported last month that two young educational workers - Tal Landsman and Ben Lewis - were formulating a proposal for another free school in Borehamwood, a pluralist Jewish primary.

Yavneh College Trust chair Malcolm Gordon said that prior to the previous application, "we identified a very clear demand for an outstanding modern Orthodox primary school in Borehamwood. The demand has only grown since that time.

"We are not in a position to say what the demand would be for a second primary school with a different ethos."

Mr Gordon on Wednesday contacted the team behind the pluralist project for what Mr Lewis said had been a cordial conversation.

Although sure that the parties would meet to have a fuller discussion, Mr Lewis maintained that the Yavneh announcement would "in no way whatsover" impact on their plans.

"We believe we would serve a diverse community very well."