A new billingual school is to open in offices formerly owned by a DIY chain.

Saint Jérôme Church of England Bilingual School has announced plans to open at the old Wickes retail support centre building in central Harrow.

The three-storey building, which is on the corner of Station Road and Elmgrove Road, was left empty in January last year when the DIY shop firm moved to a new location in Watford.

Negotiations about transforming the site into a bilingual school for Harrow’s children have been taking place since September last year.

Saint Jérôme’s will be the first bilingual school in Harrow and it will teach the national curriculum in both English and French.

Headteacher Daniel Norris said. “This is a wonderful site in central Harrow in which we will create a stimulating learning environment.

“We will bring a new dimension to primary education in Harrow and have been overwhelmed by the support of the local community.”

Chairman of governors Ian Fernandes added: “We have received many applications from parents who agreed with the aims and ethos of the school without knowing its location.

“We appreciate that not knowing the site of the school until now will have been difficult for our potential parents and would like to thank them for their tremendous support.”

The school hopes to open two Reception classes for up to 60 pupils and one Year 1 class for up to 30 pupils in September 2015.

Inigo Woolf, chief executive of the London Diocesan Board for Schools, said: “There is a huge need for primary school places in central Harrow and the location of the school will help meet the need.

“With excellent public transport links the location will also allow the school to meet its vision as a centre of excellence for bilingual education.”

Parents are invited to find out more about how to apply at www.stjeromebilingual.org/admissions