I am delighted that the Avanti House secondary school is to be located at the Whitchurch Playing Fields site.

This school will expand choice for children and parents across Harrow and will provide much-needed school places at a time when some of our existing schools are close to bursting at the seams.

Everyone wants Harrow’s children to have a good education and the existing Avanti House primary school is rated as good by Ofsted. No doubt such standards will continue at the new school for the benefit of all pupils.

However, an unfortunate misconception has arisen about this proposed school.

Concerns have been raised that as a faith school, Avanti House will only be of interest to Harrow’s Hindu population.

In fact, although all faith schools have certain powers regarding staff appointments, collective worship and admissions, Avanti House schools actually waive their right to apply faith criteria to their admissions policy.

This means they are far more open to pupils from other faiths and other sections of our community than many other faith schools.

This school is a sizeable step for the future of education in Harrow, and one which can be welcomed across our borough — irrespective of faith or belief.

Cllr Vina Mithani

Con/Kenton West

Harrow Borough Council