The UK’s first Greek Orthodox school opened its doors to students for the first time in Brunswick Park today.
St Andrew the Apostle School took over the former Barnet College buildings on the North London Business Park earlier this year.
And today headteacher Robert Ahearn and his staff welcomed the first intake of Year 7 students.
The school was founded under the government’s free school initiative by members of north London’s Greek community who wanted to promote the study of the classics and of modern and ancient languages.
Mr Ahearn said: “It was wonderful to finally see the children in their smart new uniforms. After all the planning and preparation, the school is finally open.
“It’s a big leap of faith to invest in a new school like this but now the building project is nearing completion, the parents and staff can see the reality – it’s very exciting.”
The school has spent the past six months seeking planning permission to convert several of the former college buildings, with the final stages now underway.
An open evening for next year’s prospective students will be held on Monday, October 7 between 6pm and 8.30pm.
Open mornings can be viewed by appointment between October 7 and 18.