THE new free school in Burnley is to join forces with an academy in Darwen.

Bosses at Burnley High School will use the expertise of Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) as they seek to open the school next year.

The charity Chapel Street, which is behind the school, say it will open in September next year, offering 90 places to eleven-year-old children who will be starting in Year Seven.

Elizabeth Haddock, executive principal of Burnley High School, said in the establishment’s new prospectus: “Darwen Aldridge Community Academy will partner with Chapel Street and our community partners to develop Burnley High School as a centre of educational excellence and innovation providing outstanding teaching and learning, family support and community services.

“DACA view the partnership as an opportunity for mutual benefit, enabling both schools to meet the needs of the respective communities we serve.

“DACA will provide support in the development of the educational vision and brief, sharing the learning acquired in the creation of their academy.”

A drop-in consultation event was held this week at Burnley Life Church, in Sycamore Avenue, another of the school’s local partners.

A handful of people attended the event and spoke to representatives from the school about the plans and filled in questionnaires on their thoughts on the proposal.

The event was part of a wider consultation process.

A site for the school is yet to be finalised, with the Department for Education making a final decision.

Chapel Street has a preferred site in the South West area of Burnley and said it will have ‘state-of-the-art facilities’ which will be a ‘hub of community activity’.