THE proposed site of a controversial super school was revealed this week.

Rutland County Council intends to locate the building on land in Leicester Road, Uppingham.

The town's two existing schools, Uppingam CE and Leighfield would be closed to make way for the new building. And it was also revealed this week that The Parks School in Oakham would also go under the plans.

Provision for the Park pupils, who all have special needs, would be offered in the new 420-place school in Uppingham.

Deborah Stuart, of Thorpe-by-Water, who is a parent-governor at Leighfield where her sons Tim, eight, and Harry, six, are pupils, said: "While it is helpful to know the proposed site, there are still a lot of unanswered questions including the leadership of the school, the ethos of the school and funding for the numerous proposals."

Jonathan Lee, governors' chairman at Uppingham CE, said: "We are very keen to consider the proposals with our staff, parents, children and governors so we can form a view on what is best for our current and future pupils."

Dr Stephen Wickham, whose daughter Katie, 10, goes to Leighfield, said: "I would still say it is a long way from certain parts of Uppingham and if they are going to relocate other services such as the library and childcare that is going to remove them from the centre of Uppingham."

Parks headteacher Pia Kerridge is enthusiastic about the development. She said: "The opportunity to be part of the new build that would have purpose built facilities in an inclusive community can only be a good thing."

The Parks has 26 pupils, three classrooms, for children aged two to six, a family centre that supports families with children up to 19, a hydrotherapy pool and a sensory room. All facilities would be available at the new school.

The council was given £4.4m of Government money to build a school in Uppingham. The council will put in £1.1m. The council has an option to buy the land in Leicester Road which would need planning permission for the school.

The council's director of education, Carol Chambers has revealed the headteacher of the new school would be one of the existing heads at the Uppingham primary schools.

Consultation meetings are being held with governors, staff and interested parties this month.

Leader of Rutland County Council Roger Begy said: "This is an opportunity that comes along once in the lifetime. Let's listen, let's discuss and let's look to the future and try and come out with something for Uppingham that everyone can be proud of."

The council has an option to buy the plot which would need planning permission before a school could be built.

Mrs Chambers said: "One of the strong views that came across was the community wanted a new site, not an existing one. We can demonstrate we have listened to the community, we have come up with a new site."

If approved, construction of the new school could begin midway through 2007. Uppingham CE, Leighfield, and The Parks would close in July 2008 and the new school will open in September 2008.