STUDENTS in the Culm Valley could be offered a range of educational options if plans for a new £6m centre get the go-ahead at Uffculme School.

Although funding and planning approval is yet to be obtained, governors are asking the public their views on proposals to provide sixth form courses at the top performing comprehensive at Chapel Hill.

The plan is for a “fully inclusive” education programme, featuring diplomas, apprenticeships and A-levels, to be housed in a brand new building to be completed as early as September, 2012.

In a recent survey, students and parents both expressed an “overwhelming desire” for post-16 courses.

Now school governors have published a comprehensive report detailing the proposals and inviting more feedback.

The report, titled, ‘Change of age range and enlargement’, says: “The buzz provided by the experience of attending a large college is an attractive inducement to some young people, but for others it is an intimidating and impersonal prospect.

“Some students will undoubtedly benefit from a smaller and more intimate provision and class sizes will be smaller as the economics of a school-based sixth form allow for subjects to run with fewer students than is possible at a large institution.

“A sixth form benefits the whole school community as young adults provide role models to younger members of the school and pupils’ aspirations are raised by the presence of older students and they can see for themselves the benefits of continued full time education,” it added

As well as striving to dramatically increase participation and achievement among young people through the venture, governors say students currently living in the Culm Valley do not have the choice to continue their education at school.

“There will be many students who will prefer the opportunity to stay on at school to study benefiting from the high standards at Uffculme,” they said.

The recent survey concluded that out of 190 students, 132 would continue their education at Uffculme School.

An application has been made to the Learning Skills Council Capital Fund for a total of £5,743,400 to finance the new post-16 building, which would accommodate up to 341 students.

The building would include: 16 seminar areas, four classrooms, two specialist ICT areas, three science labs and a prep room, new rooms for art, drama and music, three music and drama practice areas and a creative media centre.

The new building would cost £4,870,800, an extension of the existing science block would cost £622,600, and 30 parking spaces, an access path and landscaping would cost £250,000.

People are encouraged to offer their views on the plans by 5pm on Friday, February 19.

A public meeting about the plans will be held at the school tomorrow at 6.30pm.

Views on the proposals can also be sent in writing to headteacher Lorraine Heath, or chairman of governors Richard Carman, at Uffculme School Chapel Hill, Uffculme, EX15 3AG. They can also be emailed to Liz Mitchell, clerk to the governors, at mitchelll@uffculme.devon.sch.uk.

The plans will be considered by a cabinet meeting of Devon County Council members on April 14.