Secondary school to be replaced in Hertfordshire

A school for children between three and 19 could be built in Hertfordshire to meet demand for places and "drive up standards", a council has announced.

Francis Bacon Maths and Computing College in St Albans will be replaced under plans by the County Council.

The school has improved "rapidly" since being removed from special measures by Ofsted but has been unable to attract enough pupils, the council said.

The new school could open on the Francis Bacon site by September 2011.

Richard Thake, executive member for education and skills, said: "We know that our proposals will create uncertainty but we are confident that they are in the best interests of Francis Bacon's current pupils and education in St Albans as a whole."

It is anticipated that a formal consultation will begin in the autumn term, the council added.