THE government has given the green light to a new secondary school in Brighton.

The University of Brighton have announced in the last few minutes that the Department for Education has approved plans for their proposed new secondary school in Brighton.

The school will be for students aged 11 to 16 years and will offer 180 places each year.

At present the university has only confirmed that the new school will be sited in the centre-east part of the city and will open in September 2018. The University of Brighton Academies Trust has been working in conjunction with Brighton and Hove City Council and the project has now moved to the ‘pre-opening’ planning stage.

Professor Debra Humphris, the university’s vice chancellor, said: “We are delighted the application has been successful.

"Brighton and Hove City Council predicts there will be a pressing need for a new school in Brighton to meet a projected growth in the number of 11 to 16-year-old students in the next two to three years.

“We are pleased to be working in partnership with the city council and other stakeholders on this exciting development.

“We look forward to fully engaging and working with parents, the community and with local schools to fully develop the plans for the new school.”

Paul Griffiths, chief executive of the University of Brighton Academies Trust, said: “I would like to thank the families of over 350 children who indicated their support for a new secondary school in the city.

“Working with partners, we look forward to realising our vision of providing outstanding educational opportunities for children from all backgrounds, as well as meeting the increased demand for secondary school places in the city.”

Council leader Warren Morgan said: "This is very good news for children and families in the city who need a new secondary school by 2019.

“It is a great contribution to the future of Brighton and Hove by the University of Brighton, which has a strong track record in excellent education."