THE popularity of a new Middlesbrough school has led to the sixth-form being over subscribed in its first year.

The Department for Education and Skills has agreed to fund 18 extra places at the King's Academy sixth form following the demand from students wanting to stay on.

Almost 80 students, including 15 from other schools, have joined the Sixth Form at the academy.

The Emmanuel Schools Foundation, which sponsors King's Academy, stipulates that its schools must have a sixth form.

It is the first time that students of the former Brackenhoe and Coulby Newham schools, which merged last September to form King's Academy, have been able to stay on at their own school.

Principal Nigel McQuoid said: "With a brand new academy it was very difficult to anticipate how many of our year 11 students would want to stay on, especially since the opportunity was not available to them at their previous schools.

"The Government initially funded 60 sixth form places, the fact that we have needed 30 per cent more is encouraging for them and for us.

"It's especially pleasing to have such a mix of abilities, with some students taking A-level courses and others following work-related studies."