A modern style of teaching which places greater emphasis on thinking is to be introduced in a new Croydon primary school.

The school, which will be known as the Croydon Primary School when it opens its doors for the first time in January, is hoping to achieve accreditation as a De Bono Thinking School.

The accreditation is named after Dr Edward De Bono whose method of learning involves teaching thinking as a skill.

Krystyna Knopp, headteacher at the school in Leslie Grove, Addiscombe, is an accredited trainer in De Bono methods. One of the school's teachers who is due to start in January, Danusia Partridge, is also trained in De Bono techniques.

Last Friday the team responsible for the development of the school met with local Addiscombe councillor and champion of the new private primary school Andrew Price, as well as Croydon Central MP, Andrew Pelling.

The men were joined by other visitors and were shown round the school by its principal, Aflak Khan.

Mr Khan welcomed prospective pupils, parents and families for a tour of the facilities and to check on the progress of their work.

Mr Khan said: "It was a very pleasant afternoon and it was great so many people were able to come."

The contractors responsible for the building project as well as the management team also attended the event.

Contractor Syed Imran Ali said: "It has been a very exciting project. We have tried to maintain the original visual features in the new extension and added special features such as the skylights and glazed over roof above the staircase and landing."

The school has been dubbed a "21st century school" and will be non-denominational. Class sizes will be restricted to 14 children and the curriculum is also expected to have a strong emphasis on ICT.

Croydon Learning Centre, which has been giving tuition for more than 20 years, is on the same site.

Places at the school are being snapped up fast, but some are still available.

Ms Knopp said: "The building works are near completion, and we are looking forward to opening in January. Applications are being accepted now and there are still a few vacancies."