More than 700 families in Kingston have applied to send their children to the borough’s first free school next year.

And that is despite the fact a planning application to build the school is yet to be submitted to Kingston Council.

The Kingston Academy, at the site of the former North Kingston Centre in Richmond Road, has so far received 711 in-borough applications for its first intake in September 2015, with out of borough applications still yet to be counted.

It means that at least 500 families are likely to be left disappointed, as only 180 year 7 places are available in the first year.

But headteacher Sophie Cavanagh said: “We are oversubscribed, which is a fantastic position to be in in year one.

“Some parents will be disappointed – that’s the case with most schools.

“There is nothing unusual about our admissions criteria – it will be distance that will be the deciding factor.”

Kingston Academy will be a co-educational, non-selective and non-faith school with six forms of entry for 11 to 18-year-olds.

The free school bid was put forward by Kingston Educational Trust, which includes Kingston College, Kingston University and Kingston Council.

Kingston College principal Peter Mayhew-Smith said: “We’re delighted that Kingston Academy has created such a high degree of interest from families in the area.

“Above all, this is their school and we will be able to ensure that it is genuinely an excellent local school for local people, which was always our ambition.”

Surrey Comet: Sophie Cavanagh will be the head of the new secondary school

Kingston Academy headteacher Sophie Cavanagh

But Councillor Liz Green, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, said she was worried about the lack of a planning application.

She said: “It is good that people have faith in the academy, but it is just my worry about the process happening in a timely manner.

“How is it going to open in September without a planning application?”

Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis said: “The planning application is down to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) and has been all along.

“But they have guaranteed that a school will be open at that site in September.

“It would have been fantastic to have a brand new school building to open in September, but that’s clearly not the way the Department for Education and EFA open schools any more.”

Kenneth Dunston, of Latchmere Lane, hopes to send his son to the school.

He said: “It is difficult for parents to take a leap of faith for a new school, but I went to the open day and it was absolutely packed.

“I’m not surprised it is oversubscribed. It just shows how much the area needs another school.”