AROUND 50 families attended an information day for those interested in setting up a new secondary school.

A group of parents and business people have been given the go-ahead to set up a new Durham Free School, aimed at families in Shincliffe, Cassop cum Quarrington, Coxhoe and Kelloe.

Dozens of families attended an information day about the school held last week at Bowburn Community Centre.

A second information day will take place tomorrow (October 20) at St Mary’s Church, in Coxhoe, from 10am to 2pm.

The new school is due to open its doors in September at a site to be selected by the Department of Education and will eventually have capacity for 840 children.

Chair of governors David Glover, a Durham-based solicitor, said: "We were extremely encouraged by the response to our open day. Interest was high and we received some very good, positive feedback".

He added: "We recognise that it may be difficult for people to envisage what a new school will be like, but we have made a strong case for it and now a huge amount of work is going on behind the scenes on plans for the building, staffing, teaching and learning and the ethos and character of what will be a fully inclusive school for local children."

For further information, please visit durhamfreeschool.org or ring 0191-3755760.