PLANS to build a £4.4m sixth form at a Bicester school are likely to be rubber-stamped before the Easter break.

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet approved a scheme to build the zero carbon building at Cooper school after a public consultation.

A county council planning officer will make the final decision and is expected to give the plans the go-ahead.

It is hoped work on the new building, in Churchill Road, will start soon after. The sixth form is due to open in September next year.

The building will cater for 185 students, and will include classrooms, computer facilities, a common room, study areas and a cafe.

Currently 16-year-olds must either carry on their education at Bicester Community College, or travel outside the town.

The county council is funding the majority of the project, but a Government grant of £600,000 has been awarded to make the building environmentally friendly – with solar panels and low-energy fittings.

Headteacher Ben Baxter said: “The creation of post-16 provision at the Cooper School is a fantastic opportunity for young people in the town now and into the future.

“It addresses a historical anomaly, where students have had to travel on a daily basis to sixth form providers across Oxfordshire and surrounding authorities.

“The new sixth form building will provide a 21st century design which will enhance the learning opportunities for students across a diverse range of post-16 courses.

“It is very exciting.”

Cooper School works closely with the community college, Bardwell special needs school and Oxford and Cherwell Valley College to provide a variety of academic and vocational courses.

Michael Waine, county cabinet member for schools improvement, said: “This multi-million pound project represents the most significant improvement in post-16 education in Bicester for generations.”