A MAJOR milestone has been reached in a proposed new school project.

The University of Brighton Academies Trust has been formally appointed by the Regional Schools Commissioner to run the proposed primary and secondary school as part of the Burgess Hill Northern Arc development.

The "all-through" schools will aim to provide a high-quality education for new and existing residents in the 3,500-home development and across the area.

The new secondary school would be funded, designed and built by West Sussex County Council, with land and a financial contribution from Homes England, which is also delivering and funding the primary element.

Nigel Jupp, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for learning and skills, said: “We have a relentless drive to continue raising education standards while supporting the urban and rural diversity of our beautiful county to provide high-quality schools like this for every child, as set out in our School Effectiveness Strategy.

“The University of Brighton Academies Trust is highly experienced and already runs 15 schools across West and East Sussex, all of which are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, so this proposed new school will be in extremely good hands.”

Dr John Smith, chief executive of University of Brighton Academies Trust, said: "I am delighted that we have been appointed the sponsor to run this new state-of-the-art school.

“It makes me incredibly proud and confirms that we are meeting our ambitions to deliver excellent education and improve the lives of children across Sussex.

“This arrangement underpins the fantastic work already achieved by the trust. We are extremely excited to be part of this innovative scheme, and we are looking forward to welcoming the new school into our family of academies."

The Burgess Hill Northern Arc development, at a site called Freeks Farm, will have 3,500 homes, businesses, neighbourhood centres, an all-through primary and secondary school on two sites and a further separate primary school.

It is being developed in a partnership between Homes England, West Sussex County Council and Mid Sussex District Council.

Graham Hyslop, project director for Homes England, said: “Homes England are planning for a sustainable community at the Northern Arc, providing community facilities at the right time to meet the needs of all residents.

“The appointment of the University of Brighton Academies Trust as the school sponsor is great news and we’re looking forward to bringing forward more essential community infrastructure as the scheme develops.”

The Burgess Hill Northern Arc school is subject to planning permission with an application scheduled to be submitted later this year.