Consultation begins on Buckinghamshire's first satellite school

St Michael's Catholic School, High Wycombe, plans a satellite - initially with four forms of entry - on the former Quarrendon School site in Aylesbury.

The proposal comes in a partnership between Buckinghamshire County Council, St Michael's governors and trustees, and the Diocese of Northampton.

The satellite school would cater for students between 11 and 19 and open in September 2018 with a Year 7 intake of 120, growing over time to six forms of entry.

The consultation with parents and the local community will run until April 28, and two public presentations will be held: at St Edward's Catholic Junior School, Aylesbury, on Monday February 27, and at St Michael's Catholic School, High Wycombe, on Tuesday February 28. Both presentations run from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

The satellite proposal comes in the light of the predicted rise in the number of school-age children across the county - in the next 20 years more than 45,000 new homes are planned - and the County Council's statutory duty to ensure there are enough school places.

Headteacher Garret Fay and St Michael's governors would have overall responsibility for the satellite site and local governors would be sought to support the multi-site school's governance.

Consultation letters have been sent to all Aylesbury school Heads with a request to forward to parents, and neighbouring residents are also being consulted.

After the consultation, the school partners will decide whether to move to the next stage and publish a statutory notice outlining the proposals and triggering a four-week public representation.

Zahir Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "This is an important consultation and I hope people will take the time to respond, as their views are of great significance".