AC Grayling ditches plan to open new free school in Camden

Philosopher concedes defeat after failing to find a suitable site

AC Grayling has had to ditch his plan to open a new free school (Rex Features)

Philosopher AC Grayling, master of the controversial New College of the Humanities - which charges fees of up to £18,000 a year - has had to ditch his plan to open a new free school because of difficulties in finding a site.

The proposed New School for the Humanities – to be sited in Camden, north London, near the new university - was seen as an attempt to promote interest in humanities subjects and could have led to students being recruited to the new university, which does have scholarship places on offer.

“It is disappointing that we were not successful on this occasion, though we knew that the challenge of finding a site in the area we proposed was always going to be difficult,” Professor Grayling said.