Ongar is set to open their first-ever sixth form that will offer more than 60 student’s spaces next year.

The Ongar Academy on Fyfield Road, Ongar, announced the news to students and parents on Friday, September 20.

The new post-education facility has seen an 'overwhelming' response of prospective students signed up hoping to secure a place in September 2020, with more than ten A-Level and BTEC courses being offered.

Director of education for Ongar and headteacher, Allan Osborne, said: “Its been amazing, the kids and staff are over the moon.

“We are trying to promote it as much as possible and put Ongar on the map. It’s quite exciting.”

“It’s a huge investment and Bridge Academy Trust are also heavily on this.”

He added: “It’s a huge village which is getting bigger and we have four schools with 2000 children.”

The sixth form is being funded by the Bridge Academy Trust after a year of planning, who will provide a common room and new teaching roles for new pupils.

What makes the sixth form also unique is it will be the post-16 centre and home for elite netball for Team GB and Pulse teams and Chelsea FC.

The Bridge Academy Trust will also become the first trust to offer provision for two to 18-year-olds.

Year 11 students currently attending the secondary school will be the first wave of pupils to sit their GCSE’s since the academy was founded in 2015.

A letter issued to parents and guardians about the sixth form announcement said: “We are a school for the community and hold the highest expectations. We are proud to be a heavily oversubscribed school and look forward to seeing you in September.”

The Ongar Academy is set to host a Year 7 Open Evening for on Monday, September 30 and an Open Evening for Post 16 studies on Monday, November 11.

For more information visit http://www.theongaracademy.org/category/news/