COUNTY Hall has sanctioned a move that brings the prospect of permanent secondary schooling in Swanage tantalisingly close.

Education Swanage has been working to establish a free school at the former grammar school site since county officials ruled Purbeck would shift from a three to a two-tier education system two years ago.

Worryingly – soon after the new school recently opened admissions for September 2013 – the property company that owned the grammar school withdrew its offer of the site at the last minute.

As it stands now, the fledgling secondary school’s first pupils will be taught at Swanage’s Harrow House school.

However, Dorset County Council has just agreed to allow part of the town’s middle school site, which is set for closure, to be used by Swanage Free School.

Toni Coombs, county council children’s services cabinet member, said: “We are pleased to have found an agreement for a shared site with Swanage Free School quickly after their loss of the grammar school site.

“We recognise the difficulties that the free school has been experiencing in finding a permanent home and have been working to make this solution possible.”

Negotiations are ongoing but it appears this deal will free up the former grammar school playing fields on Northbrook Road for use by St Mary’s Primary School.

Swanage Free School had wanted to share the recreation ground site with St Mary’s, but the size limitations of the area meant this was not a viable option, said council officials.

St Mark’s Primary School, which is due to move onto the school site as part of the education shake-up, will now share the site with the new secondary.