Two new free primary schools will be intaking pupils in September next year.

Tooting Primary School, in Franciscan Road, Tooting and the Balham Free Primary School were approved by the Department for Education this week.

Both schools are expected to ease the squeeze on primary school places in the borough and provide more choice for parents.

Tooting Primary School will be run as an educational trust in partnership with Graveney School, but will have its own headteacher and staff.

It will be located in the Franciscan Road Professional Centre, sharing a site with the Francis Barber Pupil Referral Unit.

The Balham Free Primary School aims to be an inclusive, all ability school for children aged four to 11-years-old.

It is being sponsored by Place Group and Bellevue Education, with plans for smaller class sizes.

Graham Stapleton, principal of Graveney School, said: "This is great news for parents in Tooting.

"They have already shown their support for a new primary school in the area and we are determined to live up to their expectations."

Sadiq Khan MP said: "There is huge demand for local primary school places which needed to be addressed urgently. "I have confidence that the involvement of the local authority, other local primary schools and Graveney school will lead to the development of an inclusive and excellent new primary school which will meet the unique needs of local children."

Claire Delaney, managing director of the Place Group, said: "We believe, passionately, that every young person has the right to an excellent education and should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their background, in a stimulating and caring environment.

"We know that the Balham Free Primary School will provide this and become an important part of the community when it opens in September 2013."