A SUCCESSFUL school is to throw its hat into the ring to open Colchester's new secondary school.

Stanway School will apply to the Department for Education to open a free school on the site of the former Alderman Blaxill School.

If approved, the school would initially have four forms - about 120 children - in Year 7.

The plans would also include an opportunity for children of military families in Year 9 or above to board if their parents are posted aboard.

Jonathan Bland, the co-head at Stanway School, said the bid would also include an application to increase the intake at Stanway School to cope with the growing population in the area.

Mr Bland said: "We would look to open a free school on the former Alderman Blaxill School site which would fundamentally be an annexe of Stanway.

"It would be a stand alone and separate school but governed and staffed by the Stanway Federation."

Mr Bland added: "In five years, there will need to be an extra 20 forms of entry in Colchester for about 600 children.

"Stanway is looking to provide six forms - four at the free school and two at Stanway.

"We want to reassure parents in this area we are responding to the growing number of children in the catchment area."

He added: "The new school would give a broad and balanced curriculum, much like Stanway, which will make them well rounded individuals.

"There would also be the opportunity for students in Year 9 to board if their family are in the military and are being posted abroad. This would provide a continuity of education."

Mr Bland added it was hoped to increase the intake at Stanway School by about 55 students a year.

The school, which is rated as good and currently has 1,150 students, would be expanded to cope with the growing numbers.

* The former Alderman Blaxill School shut last year after falling student numbers. Click here to read more