A bid for the Bushfield Community College in Peterborough to be transformed into an academy in time for the new school year in September has been approved by ministers at the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

Now parents, residents, community groups and others are being invited to learn more about the proposals at two public meetings being held at the college on Monday 9 February and Tuesday 10 February from 6 pm to 7.30 pm.

"This is great news for pupils, parents, staff and the wider Bushfield community," said principal Eric Winstone. "The governors and staff have been working for some time to achieve what we believe is a great opportunity to create new facilities for learning.

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"This decision by the DCSF means we can proceed with the 'feasibility and implementation' stage, which includes consultation with local people and groups."

The Ormiston Trust, which already operates the Orton Family Centre, is sponsoring the proposed academy and aims to encourage collaboration and best practice among a network of academies that it sponsors across the country.

The Trust, which believes that academies can contribute to improvements in local communities, will invest £2 million in the project over 10 years and bring additional external educational and community expertise to the school.

While the proposed academy will initially occupy existing Bushfield buildings, education officers are working on plans for a completely new campus on adjoining land. When completed by early 2012, the new academy will permit an expansion in pupil numbers over the next 10 years from just over 700 currently to around 950.

(CD/JM)