Swanage’S abandoned grammar school site could once again resonate with the sound of children, if an education campaign group gets its way.

Around 60 people packed out Swanage Town Hall for a meeting, called to gauge public support for setting up an independent secondary school in the town.

This meeting, called by campaign group Education Swanage, convened months after Dorset County Council chiefs ruled against a secondary school campus in the town, which had been considered as part of Purbeck’s ongoing education review. But the new coalition government’s Academies Bill – announced by Education Secretary Michael Gove – appears to have handed campaigners a lifeline.

Carl Styants, from Education Swanage, said: “We still need to know exactly how this new legislation will affect us, but it seems the government has pledged to provide money for schools, out of local authority control, if the people want them.

“We had a very positive meeting. People listened to how it will all work. At the moment we don’t have any real detail – the meeting was more to see if enough people would get behind the idea.

“I believe enough people will sign up for it, and if the government will provide the money, I see no reason why we cannot go ahead.”

Campaigners believe the former grammar school site, in Northbrook Road, could easily be renovated.

The grammar school closed in 1974 then was used, until recent years, as a centre for outdoor pursuits and geography-based learning. It currently stands empty.

Education Swanage are now looking at commissioning an economic impact assessment, which will project the future of Swanage with and without a secondary school site.

Mr Styants said: “We think this project is worthwhile.

“We don’t want Swanage to simply turn into a retirement village.

“In general terms, schools attract people. Lack of schools detract people.”

Education Swanage will hold further meetings as their work progresses.