PLANS for an innovative new state school in Bournemouth have moved a step closer to reality.

Detailed proposals for the Parkfield New School have now been submitted to the Department for Education and those behind the scheme hope to discuss their plans with ministers within weeks.

A number of possible sites for the 580-pupil school have been identified near the Lansdowne area and sports facilities could be offered at Chapel Gate, near Bournemouth Airport.

The school’s inner catchment area will be the boroughs of Bournemouth and Poole but applications will also be invited from areas within three miles of the boroughs.

The company behind the scheme, Parkfield Education Limited, has been set up by local parents and business representatives to take advantage of the government’s free school initiative.

They hope to offer a combination of Montessori education and International Primary Curriculum from reception to year 6 and the International Baccalaureate from years 7 to 13.

Class sizes will be no larger than 24 in primary years and 20 in the secondary phase and those behind the school said one-to-one lessons will be offered regularly. The school will not be selective and there will be no charge.

Organisers hope the school will open in September next year with a small intake of pupils in reception and Years 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8.

One parent behind the scheme, Sarah Fryer, said: “There is a great need for a decent school in this area. A lot of parents are very concerned about their children’s education, particularly at secondary level.”

And the school’s latest newsletter says: “Each step along the way provides greater assurance that Parkfield New School will go ahead as planned.”

More than 500 parents have registered an interest in the schools and more details are available at parkfieldnewschool.org.uk.