Funding has been approved for a new secondary school due to open in September.

The government yesterday guaranteed the finances required to run The Ongar Academy, which is due to take on 750 pupils.

Chair of the governing body, Pete Marchant, said: “At this stage we can guarantee parents that we will be opening on September 7 and we will have the fantastic new facilities which we have all dreamed of.”

The Academy, which will undergo a full Ofsted inspection ahead of opening to ensure it would provide a high standard of education, will be built around the Adult Community Learning Centre in Fyfield Road, Ongar.

It is said to be oversubscribed, having received applications for more than the 120 Year Seven places.

Headteacher David Grant said: “It has been tremendously hard work for all of my team but everything we do from this point onwards is 100% focussed on Opening Day.

“We cannot wait to welcome our students through our doors in September.

“With the high standard of candidates we have interviewed, I can guarantee parents will not be disappointed.”