A NEW multi-million pound secondary school for up to 950 pupils is set to open in East Lancashire.

The ‘free’ school, focusing on science, technology, maths and engineering, could open by September 2018 if trustees are granted permission.

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The proposal for the new ‘Evergreen School’ in Great Harwood has been drawn up a by new independent trust of teachers, parents and professionals.

It would concentrate on ‘vocational’ subjects and qualifications backed by work experience rather than traditional exam-based academic education.

Some community leaders have given a ‘cautious welcome’ to the radical plans, while others have questioned whether the project could succeed.

Similar vocationally-based Hyndburn Studio School and Burnley University Technical College have failed to attract enough students to be viable.

Trustees hope to submit an application for the millions of pounds required to build the new environmentally-friendly complex or transform an existing building to the government this summer for approval early next year.

The proposal is on the New Schools Network’s Development Programme, which supports groups seeking to found new ‘free’ schools outside county council control and obtain Department for Education funding.

The trustees, chaired by Lancashire Police inspector Andy Moore, include at least one former head and deputy head teacher. They will give more details of their proposals at the Great Harwood Show on Monday.

Several possible sites in the town are being looked at as a possible location for the school.

Initially a first year of 100 11-year-olds will be accepted as the school works up to a full capacity of 950, complete with sixth form by 2026.

Sonia Edwards, trust member and specialist STEM teacher, said: “The Evergreen School is designed to be an inclusive 11to 18 school with a distinct ethos and focus on STEM subjects, sustainability and the environment, creativity, independence and community spirit.

“The traditional education system with its focus on exams does not work for every child.

“The school will offer project based learning where students engage with their own learning process, outdoor education, workshops with a wide range of industry professionals and an innovative programme of work experience.

“We firmly believe there is a genuine need for Great Harwood to finally have its own secondary school.

“Burnley and Accrington are very different towns and our focus is to provide the right opportunities for our children.

“Increased housing development planned for Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley is going to put a greater squeeze on school places.

“The opening of a free school would be a benefit, particularly to those who cannot afford to travel to the secondary schools in Hyndburn and the surrounding areas.

“We know that 125 pupils are bussed out of Great Harwood every day.”

Richard Jones, head of St Christopher’s CE High School in Accrington, which has applied to set up a free school for children with special needs, said: “I am supportive of any educational initiative which provides parents with a choice of quality schools.

“The challenges associated with opening a new school should not be underestimated.

“I have confidence that the application process to open a free school is robust.”

Fellow head at Mount Carmel RC High School, Xavier Bowers, said: “There is surplus of school places in Hyndburn and similar curriculum is on offer at other establishments notably local colleges.

“I am concerned that new and free schools open and then fail and that the Hyndburn Studio School and Burnley UTC with similar specialities failed to prove viable.”

Simon Jones, National Union of Teachers national executive member for Lancashire, said: “Free schools wreak havoc with coherent pupil place planning.

“They are neither wanted nor needed in Lancashire.”

Great Harwood councillor Gareth Molyneux said: “I would give a cautious welcome to this proposal which could fill a gap in Great Harwood.

“I support increased parental choice, although I am concerned the Hyndburn Studio school failed to be viable.”

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, said: “This is an interesting idea and there may be gap in Great Harwood where there is a lack of parental choice.

“I would need to see how it affects other secondaries in the borough after problems with similar schemes such as the studio school in Accrington and the UTC in Burnley.”

The new school would be free to attend and open to all local children.

Nick Timothy, director of the New Schools Network’s Development Programme, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Evergreen School on to our development programme.”