A new £4 million sixth form centre is planned by Tenterden's Homewood School.

The purpose-built building within the school grounds would cater for the ever-increasing number of pupils staying on into the sixth form.

This year the figure has risen from 350 to 418 and it is expected to keep going up.

Homewood hopes to apply to Ashford council for planning permission in the next few weeks and will then put in a bid for funding to the Educational Funding Agency.

Mark Seymour, pictured, the school’s business manager, said: “The sixth form is growing because we can offer 150 different courses, some academic, some vocational or a mix of both.

“We serve top universities and also those who want a different career and do not want to go to university or college.

“We anticipate the sixth form growing and we need to have room for all these pupils.”

“We want a dedicated sixth form building with study spaces, open plan learning areas, a cafe and social area. We now have one of the largest sixth forms in Kent and we should provide for that.”

If all goes to plan, the new building could be in use by September 2015.

Full story in this week's Kentish Express.