THE first in a series of drop-in sessions over the future of secondary education in Colchester is to be held next week.


Figures show there is an estimated shortfall of 400 school places in the town by 2022.
 

Now Essex County Council has launched a consultation to draw up a strategy of how to deal with the situation.
Falling roles at Alderman Blaxill School in Shrub End means the school will close in 2014.
However, one of the options on the table is to use the site for either a new school or to expand existing schools.


Both Stanway and Philip Morant schools have expressed an interest in taking over the site.


The Gilberd School in north Colchester may also increase its intake by 30 students a year.


And it could take over responsibility for a new school to be built from 2019.
A number of sessions have been organised to give parents a chance to see the proposals.


The first is at the Gilberd School on Monday October 15.

The next will be at St Helena School on Tuesday October 16with Stanway School hosting a session on Wednesday October 17.

On ThursdayOctober 18, a session will be held at Philip Morant School with another at Colchester Academy on Friday October 19.

Thomas Lord Audley School will be open for a drop-in session on Monday October 22. All the events will run from 4pm to 8pm.


Another session will be held at the Army Welfare Community Centre in Fallowfield Road, Colchester, between 10am and 3pm on October 24.


The consultation will run until November 16. Comments should be sent to www.surveymonkey.com/s/ColchesterSecondary2012.