A consultation inviting people to give their opinion on proposals to open a free school in Tooting was launched this week and residents have until February to have their say.

The Michaela Community School plans to open in September and its preferred site has been identified as the Trident Centre in Bickersteth Road subject to the consultation and final approval from the London Development Agency and the current occupants.

The centre, run by charity Wandsworth Youth Enterprise Centre, is currently home to 90 business units as well as housing other agencies such as the Tooting town centre manager.

The charity was set up in 1988 in an area of high youth unemployment and with a high ethnic minority population.

Its website says: "Trident Business Centre was set up in 1998 to provide income for WYEC and as a natural progression for WYEC’s burgeoning young businesses. A trading subsidiary of WYEC, Trident Business Centre has brought over 300 jobs into the Tooting ward and has had a major economic impact on the local area of Tooting Broadway."

In December the Wandsworth Guardian reported that Katherine Birbalsingh, 38, would be head teacher at the school which will admit 120 pupils when it opens in September.

She said students will be taught Mandarin and Latin during an extended working day. They will also be expected to take part in compulsary extra-curricular activities.

Katherine Birbalsingh has attracted press attention in the past. She has taught in London state schools for over 10 years but was suspended from her post as deputy head teacher after criticising the education system, saying that is fails black children.

The Michaela Community School aims to provide old-style education and hopes to have students from a variety of backgrounds. Its consultation document claims: "Our pupils will develop a love of learning and a sense of creativity that will sustain them throughout their lives."

Ms Birbalsingh, said: “We believe that an excellent innovative education, based on traditional values, should be within the reach of every child. We want the community to get involved in the consultation and have their say. We need everyone’s input and support to make the school a great success.”

To post your comments visit http://www.proposedmcstooting.co.uk/