ACCRINGTON could soon have its first sixth form college.

St Christopher’s CofE High School in Queens Road West is in the final stages of plans for a brand new 20,600 sqft college building for school leavers.

If permission is granted building works will begin in the summer ready for the opening in September 2010.

School bosses said the sixth form centre will offer the chance for students in Hyndburn to study within the area as many travel to neighbouring boroughs to continue their education.

It is also hoped it will inspire investment and job opportunities in the future.

The additional sixth form has been made possible after St Christopher’s CofE High School was identified as a high performing school. Due to its success it was invited to take up another specialism, its first is as a technology college.

Bosses chose to take on the Applied Learning specialism, which has enabled it to extend learning from 16 up to 19-year-olds.

Assistant head teacher Peter Crewe said: “We hope it will raise aspirations all round and bring investment into Hyndburn. The area has one the lowest numbers of students who carry on into further and higher education. Those who continue with their education travel to Pendle, Burnley and Blackburn for post 16 education.

“We are hoping to retain some of these students in Hyndburn with the sixth form centre. If students stay in the area it will also reduce the carbon footprint as they won’t be travelling out of the area.”

The new college would cater for 270 pupils with the first 135 being enrolled for September 2010. It is proposed the sixth form centre be built on the old tennis courts and new ones will be built on another site.

Planning permission for the scheme, which is being supported by Lancashire County Council, is due to be submitted to Hyndburn Council soon and the school is working closely with Accrington Academy and Accrington and Rossendale College.