WORK is ploughing ahead on the new multi-million pound Studio School set to open in Bicester.

The steel frames are in place and the school, which will focus on sustainable technology, is taking shape ahead of its September opening.

It comes as the first students to sign up took part in an activity day to meet other pupils and their future teachers.

School principal Richard Brown said: “Momentum is really building as we get ready to open in September.

“This event was a great opportunity to bring together those who have already applied, to help them get to know each other by working on practical activities and challenges.

“This type of learning will be central to life at Bicester Technology Studio, so it was also a good taste of things of come.

“We’ve been delighted with the response and these students are the pioneers who will become our first students.”

Bicester Technology Studio, which is being built off Queens Avenue adjacent to The Bicester School, will offer a curriculum focusing on sustainable technology and construction alongside the normal subjects.

Work started in October after it was nearly halted by concerns from Sport England, which objected to building it on part of the existing sports field.

This decision was overturned by Greg Clark, secretary of state for communities and local government, who approved the £4 million technology college.

The academy, sponsored by Activate Learning, plans to take on 40 Year 10 students and 70 Year 12 students in September.

It will eventually cater for up to 310 students in Years 10-13, including student Cailan Grehan, 13, who went to the activity day.

He said: “My expectations of the day were different to what really happened.”

The school is also recruiting teachers for GCSE, A-level and BTEC programmes including maths, computing, humanities, business studies, sciences, English, art, product design and engineering.

For more see Richard.Brown@bicestertechstudio.org.uk