An ambitious plan to build to a new all-through school in Gloucestershire has reached an important milestone.

Balcarras School in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham has announced today that its trustees have agreed unanimously to produce a sponsorship bid for a new school covering the full age range, from nursery up to sixth form.

It said the new school, the location of which has not been announced, would help address a future shortfall in primary and secondary school places in the Cheltenham area.

Headteacher Dominic Burke said: "This is a very exciting opportunity for all of us at Balcarras.

"For a long time we've been oversubscribed and we've been acutely aware that there have been capacity issues in the town.

"We're very hopeful that this new school will solve these problems as well as providing capacity to meet the extra demand that is already working its way through the system.

"We want this new school to be an outstanding school playing a key role at the heart of its community."

Balcarras will be holding two public consultation sessions, on 13 September and 25 September, to allow parents, children and other schools to find out more about the plans and provide feedback.

Chair of trustees Phil Collie addedd: "The trustees have been looking at this project for some time.

"We have thought about it very carefully and have decided that Balcarras is well placed to be able to sponsor a new school.

"One of our major concerns was around the capacity to deliver such a project so we have worked hard to ensure that the school has everything in place.

"We're delighted that our former head, Chris Healy, will be working alongside the current leadership team and trustees to develop the bid.

"We have a long tradition of working alongside other schools and our Teaching School Partnership, comprising 28 schools, will play a key role in supporting the new school.

"We're particularly pleased that St James' Primary, Pittville School and Cheltenham Ladies' College will be working with us closely on this project."

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk 

Picture credit: pixabay