AN announcement revealing the location of Salisbury's new sixth form college is due to be made in the next few weeks.

Plans for the new school, due to open in September, are forging ahead and the final stages of negotiations to secure a site near the city centre are under way.

A second open evening for prospective students and their parents was held at the Guildhall on Thursday, and last night teaching staff interested in a role at the new school attended a presentation to find out more.

Principal Simon Firth set out his vision for the new college and said that applications are already coming in fast.

“We are pleased to be receiving not only a large number of applications from the three Laverstock schools, but many from other schools in the local and surrounding area,” he said.

The college will cater for up to 400 students in post-16 education.

They will study a wide range of traditional A-level subjects such as maths, chemistry, history and languages in addition to new courses including forensic science, media, drama, dance and health and social care.

Young people have been asked what subjects they would like to be offered by the new sixth form and they will also have a say on the other activities and facilities available in the new building.

The location of the college is yet to be announced but Neil Owen, chairman of Salisbury Sixth Form College's governing body, says he is confident he will be able to make an announcement in the next few weeks.

“The site for the college will be close to the centre of the city and therefore convenient for students,” he said. “We are looking forward to making the announcement about the site and that announcement is now imminent.”

A public consultation is under way and runs until February 14.

People are being asked if they support the idea of the new school and its vision statement, and for any further suggestions.

It is hoped the college will provide a local option for the hundreds of teenagers who leave the city every day to travel to sixth form colleges in Totton, Brockenhurst, Andover or Winchester.

Salisbury Sixth Form College is completely separate from the University Technical College which is due to open at the Wilton Road police station site in September 2015. For more information or to see a prospectus visit s6c.co.uk.