THESE are the first pictures of what a planned £8M sixth form centre for Hyndburn could look like if a bid by St Christopher's CE High School gets the go-ahead.
A-level provision in Hyndburn is currently virtually non-existent, with only Accrington and Rossendale College offering some post-16 courses.
But that could change if the proposed centre, which would be built on land which formerly housed Moorhead High School, is given the green light.
St Christopher's headteacher Alasdair Coates said that the sixth form centre would fill a yawning gap in Hyndburn, offering around 40 A-level courses and employing about 40 staff.
The centre would include a range of facilities including science laboratories, technology workshops, a library and a gym.
It is believed around 90 per cent of the cash needed to build the centre would come from Government funding and the rest would be provided by the Church of England.
The centre has won the backing of Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, who said the facility would be an asset to Hyndburn.
He said: "I am a firm supporter of St Christophers' bid to build the centre and it is something I will back to the hilt. At the moment, pupils in Hyndburn are having to travel outside the borough if they want to study A-level courses.
"This is deeply unsatisfactory and just not good enough. The plan is in no way against Accrington and Rossendale College, which I am very proud of.
"This is simply about diversity in education and recognising that one type of course does not suit everyone. That is why this facility will fill a gap in Hyndburn."
