THE name of Colchester’s newest secondary school has been revealed.

Work is underway to build a new school at the former Alderman Blaxill School site in Paxman Avenue.

The Sigma Trust, which already sponsors three secondary schools and two primary schools in the town, has just been named the school’s sponsor.

They have decided to call the new 900 place school Paxman Academy, after the Paxman engine production base in Colchester.

Jeff Brindle, chief executive of The Sigma Trust, said: “The Sigma Trust includes the Stanway Federation and the Alderman Blaxill School was very much a part of that.

“From day one when we knew the school was going to be rebuilt we wanted involvement in that.”

The trust submitted a bid in October and found out it was the preferred sponsor at Easter.

Mr Brindle added: “It’s absolutely brilliant, it’s fantastic news as it’s what we have been wanting to achieve from day one.”

A new headteacher has also been appointed.Carol Anne Moffat is currently deputy headteacher at the Stanway School.

She said she was delighted to be the first teacher at a new school and had high aspirations for the students.

She said: “Being a part of The Sigma Trust we knew the bid had been successful and they were keen to appoint someone within the trust.

“I was absolutely delighted when I found out, it’s a unique and exciting opportunity and I want to do the best for the community.”

She will continue to work at the Stanway School but will also oversee the running of Paxman Academy.

The name was chosen after the Sigma Trust met with representatives, including Colchester MP Will Quince and Colchester councillors.

Other suggestions included Phoenix Academy, Roman River Academy, Shrub End Academy and Alderman Blaxill Academy.

The school will include a new 600 square feet sports centre, which will be named Blaxill Sports Centre in honour of the school which once stood there.

The new blue and green logo includes an image of a cog and a factory rooftop, commemorating the town’s industrial heritage.

Paxman’s was founded by James Paxman, Henry and Charles Davey as Davey, Paxman and Davey Engineers in 1865.

The project comes as Essex County Council projections show an increase in demand for secondary school places in Colchester.

The school, which will include state-of-the-art facilities for the rest of the community to use, has been much sought after since the Alderman Blaxill School closed in 2014.

Paxman Academy is on track to open in September next year.