DRAFT plans for a brand new £21million secondary school in North Swindon will go on display later this month while proposals for a new primary school nearby could be just around the corner.

New College is behind the proposals for the new 1210-place secondary school proposed for Tadpole Village, and they have now revealed that a new primary school could also be in the pipeline as well.

The college will be unveiling designs for the new secondary school, which will be called the Great Western Academy, at a public consultation event being held on Wednesday, July 20 at Tadpole Farm CE Primary Academy on Greene Street, between 4.30pm and 7.30pm. There, parents and other interested parties will be able to make comments on the designs ahead of a planning application being submitted in August.

The three-storey building has been designed to provide class rooms and facilities to deliver a full secondary and post-16 curriculum with a major focus on business, enterprise and technology.

Graham Taylor, principal of New College Swindon and project lead for the GWA bid, said: “This is an exciting community project which will provide a much-needed, new school for Swindon; the third fastest growing town in the country.

"We aim to prepare learners for further study and the world of work, business and enterprise with a big focus on using IT and digital technologies to do this.

"BAM Construction Ltd were appointed after a rigorous selection process and we are delighted to have them on board.

"They have a great record in the education sector and I believe that they will deliver a fantastic building with the best facilities in the area.”

The current design, developed by design practice Scott Brownrigg, includes modern, state-of-the-art facilities for IT, science and maths, design and technology and the creative arts including music, drama and dance.

If approved, construction is scheduled to start in January 2017 and conclude by July 2018, ready for school opening in September 2018.

New College is also leading a partnership to submit a bid for a new primary school to be built alongside the GWA in a bid to tackle a projected shortage of primary school places due to rapid population growth and new housing developments. Swindon Borough Council has identified a need for more primary places, up to 25 forms of entry or 750 places by 2026 – and is fully supportive of this bid.

If the bid is successful, Great Western Primary will open in September 2019. The plan is for a two-form entry (60 places) primary school, meaning that over time it will reach a capacity of 420 pupils. In addition, a much needed new nursery will be included in the bid.

Mr Taylor said: “We’re delighted to be submitting a bid for a primary school to be located next to Great Western Academy.

"I am passionate about harnessing the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning and we have plans to link with innovative companies and gain a national reputation for best practice in our work in digital learning.

“Pupil progress and results can be improved when great e-learning materials complement great teachers and this is something the school will strive to excel at.”

Justin Tomlinson, MP for North Swindon, said: “With additional homes being built at Tadpole Farm, Abbey Farm and on St. Andrews Ridge demand will be strong and this bid provides an opportunity for fellow local residents to benefit from an exciting, established addition to our local school provision.

"As with the Great Western Academy bid, I’ll very much be personally supporting the application.”