PLANS to build a new free school in Great Harwood have been hailed by councillors.

Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson said The Evergreen School would give parents more choice and backed it to be a success.

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The council agreed to support the plans for the high school, which is hoping to open in September 2018, after the school’s trustees presented their proposals at a meeting of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Cllr Parkinson said: “We are happy to commit our support to the proposals because it will give parents in Great Harwood, Clayton-Le-Moors and Rishton more choice on where to send their children to guarantee them the best possible future. By giving our support the council believes there is the demand for this school and it can be a success.

"I just hope the trustees work with other schools in the area to ensure other established schools remain as strong as possible.”

The school has been awarded a place on the New Schools Network’s Development Programme, which is designed to help groups that want to set up new free schools.

The school’s trustees are now preparing an application for Government funding and their chances of success have been boosted after the Council said the plans fit with its ‘strategic vision to improve the educational standards in the borough’.

The trustees outlined their vision to create an inclusive 11 to 18 school with a distinct ethos and focus on science, technology, engineering and maths subjects, sustainability and the environment, creativity, independence and community spirit.

The school will follow the national curriculum, emphasising core subjects of English, Maths and Science, as well as offering pupils an individualised learning experience through the use of project based learning, outdoor education, workshops with a wide range of industry professionals and work experience.

Andy Moore, chairman of the trustees, said the school would provide parents and pupils with greater choice and raise education standards in the area.

A site for the school is yet to be identified.

For more information or to register an interest in attending the school visit www.evergreen-school.uk.