PEOPLE can have their say on plans for a new academy for children in Worcestershire who find mainstream education difficult to cope with.

The Aspire Academy is the brainchild of a consortium of Nunnery Wood High School, Droitwich Spa High School, Pershore High School and the Chantry School in Martley, and will work with children from Worcester as well as the Wychavon and Malvern Hills districts.

The proposal sets out plans for an educational institution for pupils aged between 11 and 16 to develop skills to enable them to succeed in school, college or work.

The free school will cater for up to 120 full-time students, who will be referred either by their current school or the local authority.

Students at schools in Worcester, Droitwich, Martley, Pershore, Evesham, Malvern and Upton will be given priority, but it is not yet known where the school will be located.

The curriculum will be based around important life skills such as literacy, numeracy and IT, along with practical subjects which will include sport – which is being developed in partnership with local rugby club Worcester Warriors – construction, catering and childcare.

The Aspire Free School Academy Trust has opened a consultation which runs until Friday, Jan-uary 31, with the trust hoping to sign a funding agreement with the Government next year.

Proposals for the sch-eme will be sent to Lord Nash, the schools minister, this month.

The plans can be seen at theaspireacademy-.org.uk or requested from Mrs D Andrews, The Aspire Consortium, c/o Nunnery Wood High School, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2LT.

Feedback can be sent to the above address or by e-mail to admin@theaspireacademy.org.uk.