Prime Minister, David Cameron has pledged for 500 free schools to be opened by 2020, one being a Hindu faith school which will have Yoga, Philosophy and Meditation as part of the curriculum. This will be Croydon's first Hindu faith School and is due to open in 2016.
The Avanti Schools Trust, which is based in Middlesex will open a primary school in Croydon in September 2016 which will accommodate 420 pupils.
The Avanti School will not have an admission criteria, however, the other schools from the trust may vary from 60-90% Hindus.
The Avanti School Trust's chief executive, Nitesh Gor has said, "We have been speaking to the community for several years, probably about four years. We have huge links with the community both in terms with the Hindu community and also outside of it... the idea is to be reflective of the community."
Mr Gor has also said that Avanti's schools have "some aspects which are unique and innovative" but have an "inclusive" curriculum.
The curriculum at Avanti Schools, with subjects such as Yoga, Philosophy and Meditation has been rated by Ofsted as “good”.
The Avanti School Trust's other schools are located in Leicester, Harrow and Redbridge in Surrey.
Along with Avanti school, Wallington County Grammer School Federation has also been given permission to open a non- selective free school for 1,000 students from the age of 11 to 18. This school will serve the regions of Coulsdon, Purley and South Croydon.
The proposed free school, Crystal Palace Primary School which was backed by the Department for Education to open in September 2015 has now been deferred until 2016.
