AMBITIOUS plans for a new school in the Bournemouth and Poole area have been announced today.

If approved by the Department for Education, Parkfield New School will offer 390 places for all ages from reception to Year 13 and will open in September 2012.

A group of local parents, primary and secondary school teachers are behind the project, which will have a Montessori-based curriculum and offer the International Baccalaureate to older students.

The proposal is being put together under the government’s new Free School initiative but, so far, no premises have been identified.

Those behind the project are currently involved in a consultation process and are urging parents to register on their website if they are interested.

“There is a great need for a decent school in this area,” said parent Sarah Fryer.

“I’m sure there will be huge demand because a lot of parents are very concerned about their children’s education, particularly at secondary level.”

So far, there appears to be more interest in Bournemouth than in Poole but Sarah said they are keen to hear from as many parents as possible.

“As soon as we know where most of the interest is coming from, we can start to look for suitable premises.”

Admissions for 2012 would involve reception to Year 3, with 20 students in each age group, Year 7 for 30 students and Year 12 for 40 more. Students would be taught in mixed age classes in the school, which would be state-funded but free from local authority control.

Anyone interested in the school should go to parkfieldnewschool.org.uk for more details.