A SCHOOL'S bid for funding for a new £1.5 million sixth form centre has been given the green light by the Department for Education.

Work on the purpose-built centre at Hanley Castle High School will now start this summer, in time for its opening in September 2016.

Headteacher Lindsey Cooke said everyone involved with the school was delighted by the news.

The current centre is a Grade II listed building, which has been put under pressure by a growth in student numbers.

She said: "In the past five years the size of our sixth form has increased by 50 per cent and we felt that, as lovely as it is, the current building isn't suitable accommodation for a sixth form of over 200 students.

"We've come up with the right building which will meet the needs of a large and successful sixth form.

"We wanted to work with the parish council and people who live in the village to make sure the building is right for everyone.

"It should be an asset to the community as well as the school."

The new building will provide new classrooms, an IT suite, a new common room and a purpose built library with separate study rooms.

However, there are some parts of the sixth form project which could be improved with some extra funding.

The school intends to install eco-friendly energy solutions including solar panels, plant new mature trees, new IT equipment and new furniture for study spaces and the common room, and has asked parents and supporters for donations.

Ms Cooke thanked the parish council and local businesses for their support, as well as West Worcestershire Conservative candidate Harriett Baldwin,

In a letter to Mrs Baldwin, the school wrote: "None of this could have been achieved without your support."

Mrs Baldwin said: "I am so pleased that the Hanley Castle High School bid was successful.

"It is important that we support all of our schools to create the best possible environment to help our children to excel at school."