THE government has given the go-ahead for a new primary school at Bournemouth’s Avonbourne College.

A two-month public consultation will take place before a planning application is submitted in December.

Building could get underway next year and the new school, called Avonwood Primary, would open in September 2014.

Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, executive headteacher at Avonbourne International Business and Enterprise Academy Trust, said: “We are delighted that the Department for Education has recognised the urgent need for new primary school places and given its approval for the new school.

“We now want to work with the local community on putting together our final proposal and providing a school to meet the needs of our children.

“We want Avonwood Primary School to be in the very heart of the local community and hope residents play a very important role in shaping their school from day one.”

Bournemouth council’s cabinet agreed in March to provide an extra 360 primary school places to meet a baby boom.

In May, it approved the business case for a primary school on the grounds of Avonbourne College.

The primary school would provide places for 60 reception aged children each year from 2014, with the school full by 2020. It would also provide 28 nursery places from September 2014.

Anyone interested in sending their children to Avonwood can apply between now and January 15. A public exhibition will be held at Avonbourne College next month.

Visit avonbourne.org.