The opening of a new secondary school in Cornwall has moved a major step closer with news that a site has now been secured.

Cornwall Council said that the school would be build on land off Liskey Hill in Perranporth, and be part of the Truro and Penwith Academy Trust, which which already supports 29 infant, primary and secondary schools across Cornwall including schools already in Perranporth, Mithian and Blackwater.

Dr Jenny Blunden, chief executive of the Trust said: “This is a very significant step towards the opening of a new 11-16 secondary school to meet the needs of our north coast communities.”

Due to open by September 2025, the new school will provide 1,350 additional school places for the area.

Perranporth Primary School is already in Liskey Hill

Perranporth Primary School is already in Liskey Hill

The school is among 21 new free schools nationally that were announced in Wave 14 of the Free Schools Programme by the Department for Education.

In 2019 Cornwall Council announced its support for local trusts to bid in the Free School programme for a new secondary school in the north coast area, to ensure sufficient school places across the Truro and Newquay area.

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Cornwall Council has been working closely with the Department for Education and Truro and Penwith Multi Academy Trust on the location and delivery of the new school.

Work will now progress on design and access for the school, which will be subject to the normal planning permission process.

Barbara Ellenbroek, cabinet member for children and families, said: “The new school in Perranporth will provide brand new local education facilities to the rural communities in and around St Agnes, Perranporth, Goonhavern and Cubert.

“It will also create capacity in the Newquay and Truro secondary schools to meet the growing demands in those areas, including from the new Langarth Garden Village.”