A high school has celebrated the launch of a brand new sixth form that is set to open next year.

Debden Park High School in Willingale Road, Loughton, unveiled the new plans to Year 10 and 11 students alongside teachers and parents, last week.

The school is one of four in the district to have been given the go-ahead in July and will assist in offering a further 594 higher education places for students.

A small amount of expansion will be required at three of the schools - Debden Park, Roding Valley High School in Loughton and Epping St John's in Epping - with six additional classrooms required on each school site from the 2017-18 academic year.

King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy in Waltham Abbey will also open a sixth form in September 2015.

Headteacher Christian Cavanagh "We've waited a long time for this moment so we're overjoyed at the prospect of opening our new Sixth Form. 

“It was fantastic to see so many students and their parents here to celebrate such a momentous occasion and we look forward to our Year 11 students and parents returning to visit us when we hold our Curriculum Evening in November."