THE new secondary school currently under development in East Wichel will be special and of huge benefit to the local community, the future headteacher has said.

Linda Culling, principal designate of The Deanery CofE Academy, which is to be situated right in the heart of the Wichel development area, has spoken of her enthusiasm for the project and how valuable an asset the school will be.

“I am incredibly excited. I have known about the development for a number of years and have been keeping a close eye on it – it will be a huge privilege to be a part of it,” she said.

“The impact of having a good church school in the community will be massive.

“There will be some brilliant facilities and I hope a lot of people will apply to send their children here.

“With the reputation that the church schools have, and the quality of the development, we are sure it will provide an excellent choice for parents.”

The secondary school will be for pupils aged 11 to 18 and will be situated near the Waitrose store in East Wichel.

Development firm BAM is hoping to have the plans formally submitted to Swindon Borough Council by February 4, and the project is likely to be completed by September 2019.

The council is expected to contribute about £9m to the development.

The school will have state-of-the-art sports and recreation facilities which will include an all-weather pitch suitable for playing hockey and a 450-seat auditorium.

Former PE teacher Linda said: “The facilities are not just for the students who attend the school. They are intended to be a massive resource for the whole of Swindon.

“It will allow us to host events that bring in people from all over the area.

“Hockey was huge at the Olympics and we hope to encourage children to play and encourage teams from all the county to come.”

Linda, who began teaching in Swindon in 1992 at Oakfield School in Marlowe Avenue, said that people currently have to travel to Reading, Bristol and Malmesbury for the nearest all-weather pitches of equal quality.

“It truly is going to be a wonderful addition to the town. It will be different and unique and I am really looking forward to starting,” she said.

Last week a consultation was held at the Stowaway Community Centre to give residents the chance to air their views on the proposals.

BAM is keen to get the plans submitted by February so work can start as soon as possible.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The school looks really good and we’ll certainly be hoping our kids will go when they’re old enough.”