A popular Preston school is planning to set up its own sixth form centre in September.
If the plan by Ashton Community Science College gets the go-ahead it will be the first sixth form at a city school for more than 30 years.
The school wants to build on its relationship with nearby Carr Hill High School and Sixth Form Centre in Kirkham and expand its new diplomas.
Ashton has just opened a hair and beauty salon at its Aldwych Drive premises, offering foundation level diplomas to pupils from across the area.
The new sixth form will initially create places to enable students to take the diploma up to the higher level.
There will be 30 places for year 12s in 2010, followed by another 30 the following year.
About a third of the students are expected to come from Ashton with the remainder from other schools.
On top of that, the school wants to cash in on its science specialism to host a new diploma.
Staff will use their links with businesses such as BAe Systems and BNFL to offer the new science qualification.
The sixth form element of this will not take affect until after 2011 and will be available to students from across the city.
The school is already in the throes of improving its science labs to provide state-of-the art facilities.
Ashton is also at the centre of a plan to create a 14-19 vocational centre in Ribbleton.
When the City of Preston High closes at Christmas, Ashton will take over the premises and hopes to create a wide range of courses for students from across Preston. They will be targeted at 14-16 year olds and 16-19 year olds.
Headteacher Chris Lickiss said: "We see this proposal as offering a very positive and exciting progression route for young people in the area. The post-16 plans for the Ashton site will provide opportunities for students to continue studying in our specialisms."
Charman of governors Mark Gutteridge added: "The governing body is immensely proud of the achievements made by the school over recent years.
"We see this proposal as providing a valuable opportunity for young people to continue their education post 16 in an establishment that has served them well throughout their school life and also to offer new opportunities to young people from other schools."
Carr Hill headteacher Patrick Earnshaw said: "Carr Hill is working with Ashton in support of this project, and we are delighted that in coming years our sixth formers will be able to access this excellent facility as part of their studies."
Public consultation on the plans starts this week and runs until December 16. A decision will be made in the spring term.
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