A GROUP of parents and teachers campaigning to set up a free school in Tottenham has won the backing of a prominent sponsor.

The bid to set up the Academy of Entrepreneurial and Sporting Excellence in the area, started last March, has been supported by the Harris Federation, which runs 13 academies around south London.

If the Department for Education approves the group’s bid, which does not yet have a location, it could open to children aged between four and 19 by next September.

Lawyer Stephanie Pinnock, who is leading the campaign, said that she felt that Tottenham children are discriminated against in later life because of the reputation of the borough’s schools, and wants to equip children with business skills.

She added: “Our local community finally have an opportunity to show that, after last summer’s riots, we are ready to turn our area around starting with improving the education of our children and thereby their future prospects also.”

The group was denied permission to set up the school in 2010 at a site in Bruce Grove by the Department for Education, and is currently looking for a new building.

The Harris Federation is sponsored by Lord Harris, whose Carpetright store was burned down by looters during the riots last August.

Those behind the bid have organised a consultation event for local parents at 2pm on Saturday, January 21, at Tottenham Town Hall, where they will set out their vision for the school and answer questions.

Free schools are schools run by groups of parents, teachers, charities, trusts, religious and voluntary groups, which are set up as academies and funded directly by the Government.

The idea was a key plank of the Conservatives’ manifesto during the build-up to the General Election, but has been criticised for being expensive and diverting funding from existing schools.