The first of a new wave of community-led schools is one step closer to opening in Elmbridge.

Cobham Free School has made it through the first stage of a Government application process and is now aiming to open in September 2012 for children age four to 11.

The school already has the motto Optimum Omnibus, which means the best for all and is taking requests from the families of potential pupils.

Two possible sites in the town have been identified, one of which is believed to be the former Cobham police station, although this is unconfirmed.

Patrick Daly, of Nexus, the group behind the bid, said it would take best practise from the private sector, and make the school available to everyone.

He said: “We see this as a challenge and we hope we are up to the challenge. It’s quite exciting and I hope we succeed.”

The vision for the primary school in Cobham was developed by teachers and parents who passionately believe in education, according to the school’s website.

Early plans, which are yet to be cleared by the Department for Education (DfE), are for a school with about 160 places within a few years, with class sizes of between 20 and 23.

The school plans to open from 8am to 6pm to help with childcare.

It is hoped reception, year 1 and year 2 will open first, with plans for a secondary school in the future.

Esher and Walton MP Dominic Raab said: “There is a shortage of school places across the borough, affecting children at primary and secondary levels.

“It is one of the most common problems constituents write to me about.

“So, I certainly welcome parents taking the initiative to explore alternatives for providing extra choice, and the idea for a Cobham Free School is a good example.”

Opponents to free schools have criticised plans that could see a new community-led school open in Cobham next September.

Free schools are non-profit making, independent, state-funded schools, usually run by faith groups, parents, teachers or academies.

Pioneered by education secretary Michael Gove, they are similar to academies, but opened from scratch and supporters said they hand more control to teachers, making them accountable to parents, not politicians.

Mr Gove said: “Even where there are places at local schools, they’re not necessarily the type of school places parents are happy with.

“A choice between two things you don’t want is hardly a choice at all. Free schools offer a genuine alternative and they have the freedom to be different.”

Members of Nexus, which is behind the Cobham free school, tried and failed to open a school in Richmond after the Department for Education said they had not proved there was enough demand.

Councillor Peter Martin, deputy leader at Surrey County Council, said he welcomed the move for a free school because of the shortage of school places.

He said: “I think it will be a tremendous addition to the borough and I wish them well, but it only accounts for about 1 per cent of the expansion we need.

“It’s the first free school in Surrey, but are they going to be the answer? Not unless they open in vast numbers.”

But, not everyone supports the idea.

A spokesman from Anti Academies Alliance said there were serious concerns about the governance of free schools, who the financial backers were, and whether trustees had relevant experience in running a school.

He said: “Free schools are a dangerous ideological experiment driven by a Government determined to introduce competition and the market into education.”

Cobham is already served by middle school St Andrew’s and a nursery school St Matthew’s, in nearby Downside, which recently learned its expansion plans were unlikely to get planning permission.