Education chiefs are discussing plans to build a 'super school' to ease Eastbourne's problem of classroom overcrowding.

Cavendish Senior School could be moved from its site at Eldon Road to county council-owned land at Cross Levels Way to meet the growing demand for extra school places.

The school, which has 1,000 pupils, would be enlarged to take a further 200.

The proposed site is close to Sussex Downs College and Park College.

Pupils would have access to sports facilities at neighbouring Eastbourne Sports Park.

Denise Stokoe, county director of education, has held talks with councillors and the head teachers of six secondary schools to discuss the proposal.

Figures show Eastbourne will have to provide at least 300 extra classroom places by 2005 and a further 400 by 2010.

Cavendish head teacher Mark Dawkins said: "The idea seems to have been well-received at the moment but it is early days.

"It would be fair to say the heads, governors and the council have been considering plans for the future of education in Eastbourne.

"There is a shortfall of school places and, from the point of view of the heads, we are very pleased to be included in trying to do something about that."

Mr Dawkins said the school could not expand its existing site, which was too close to housing.

He said: "It is very much early days and no timescale is in place yet."

A council spokesman said funding, planning issues, the views of parents and development opportunities would all have to be discussed before the plan could go ahead.

He said: "Each of these factors is crucial. If any one of them cannot be met, the project will not be able to go ahead.

"Clearly, funding is a particularly important aspect and councillors have yet to make decisions about resources for the capital programme."

Parent Keith Martin, of Priory Road, said he supported the plan to move Cavendish.

In August, we reported that Mr Martin's daughter Claire, 11, faced going to a school twice as overcrowded as her first choice, Ratton.

Since then, Claire has been kept at home and taught by a private tutor.

Mr Martin said: "I couldn't believe it when I heard they were going to move Cavendish. I wonder how long it will take.

"Anything that increases the capacity of the schools in Eastbourne is good."