A Colchester school wants £10 million to move 400 metres.

Stanway School has applied to Essex County Council to build new premises, capable of looking after 850 pupils, in Winstree Road.

The school's 1960s buildings need refurbishing and the preferred option would be to sell off land where the school buildings currently stand.

With the proceeds - plus extra private funding - a new school could then be built on the current playing fields, around a quarter of a mile away in the same road.

According to headteacher Ian Carrington, it would cost more to maintain and upgrade the current buildings than to create a new school.

Stanway School - which currently has 700 children on the roll - has been working with the Funding Agency for Schools to develop a Private Finance Initiative (PFI), but it needs the backing of the county council before plans can be submitted to the Department for Education and Employment.

He said: "The most cost-effective way of providing education in the area over the next 25 years is to build a new school rather than trying to refurbish buildings we are in already.

"I hope the county council will see that it is the best way forward for this school and the area."

The new school would have extensive sports and arts facilities which would be open to the community.

Construction costs would be met by a private company which would be paid rent by the school for 25 years.

During this period the company would be responsible for the upkeep of the site The details of the bid are currently being explained to parents, but Mr Carrington is confident of their support.

"I think they will be absolutely delighted," he said.

It is hoped the new school could open by September 2002.

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