READING could have a new 900-place secondary school from 2021, it has been revealed.

Councillors will meet on June 11 to discuss plans for a new six-form entry school, with Richfield Avenue tipped as the most likely site.

Near the land occupied by Reading Festival and River Thames, the school will also have space for a Sixth Form programme, although this will not come into action straight away.

Reading Borough Council claimed the project was needed to the 'success' of primary expansion.

Ashley Pearce, the new lead councillor for education, said: "The land is not perfect and we are in discussions with Reading Festival regarding the access they need but the site has many advantages.

"It is where student need is highest, transport access is good and will be improved, leisure facilities are readily available and the space provides us with future room for expansion."

Spaces for other year groups will also be managed gradually to avoid influencing admissions elsewhere.

It is thought the secondary school will be a free school and Cllr Pearce says this has been 'dictated by Government policy.'

Bids will be considered by the policy committee but sent to Westminster for final approval.

A report published last year claimed Reading needed two new secondary schools by 2020 to cope with the ever-increasing demand to find places for 1,887 children in two years.

He added: "In terms of the running of the school the local authority can only do so much.

"Bids will be made by academies and trusts to run the school. As a council we will provide information to bidders and an endorsement of our preferred partner, but the final decision lies with the Department for Education.

"Reading’s growth and success as a town means that we are in need of a new secondary school."

The council has invested £61 million to create 2,550 new primary school places in the town and that growth is now filtering through to secondary places.

The site comprises a former golf driving range and open land bordering Richfield Avenue, which had previously been earmarked for a new outdoor activity and education centre, including a high ropes facility. This will now not progress.

Jo Lovelock, leader of the council, said: “Finding a suitable site for a new 900-place secondary school which can open by 2021 has been an extremely challenging exercise, not least in a town as tight and developed as Reading.

“The preferred site at Richfield Avenue stood out amongst all the options.

"It has the space to comfortably accommodate a six-form entry school with all the supporting facilities a modern school needs such as a sports hall, car parking, external social areas and playing fields. It is also large enough to include a 6th form expansion in the future if needed.”