PROPOSALS to build a new �32 million super-school at Felixstowe took another step forward today as an invitation went out for an organisation to run it.
PROPOSALS to build a new �32 million super-school at Felixstowe took another step forward today as an invitation went out for an organisation to run it.
The 1,800-student school is set to open in September 2013, and will be built in the grounds of Orwell High School.
Both Orwell and Deben will close when the new school opens.
In line with current legislation the county council may not end up running the new school - and has to offer the opportunity to manage it to trusts, educational foundations and faith organisations.
A notice has been published inviting interested organisations to submit their bids to the county council by May 26.
A council spokesman said: “As this will be a new school, the county council has to run a competition to choose the group or organisation that will be able to offer the best educational opportunities for all young people in the area.
“Following the end of the competition period, bids which meet the council's requirements will be published along with notices proposing the closure of the two existing schools and the opening of the new school.
“From the date of these notices being published there will be six weeks where people can give their views, in writing, to the county council on the recommendations approved by the cabinet and the bids received to run the new school.
“During this period two public meetings will be held in Felixstowe.”
Council officials say an outside group could bring fresh ideas to improve pupils' education and build on existing achievements.
However, there is no guarantee anyone will come forward with a bid and in this case the council itself would need to bid.
The school will run on a “schools within a school” system with four schools of about 450 pupils each within the one campus, each running its own timetable - allowing pupils to benefit from being in a smaller “school” and at the same time benefit from a large campus having the widest curriculum and best facilities.
Will a super-school work? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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