A NEW £6.8million junior school being built in Poole is on track to be completed this summer.

Ocean Academy Poole is taking shape on the former Fourways day centre site on Constitution Hill Road.

It will be a three form entry, 90 pupils, junior school, run by Aspirations Academies Trust and is due to open in September to Year 3 only, growing year on year until Year 6 completes the school in 2018 with 360 seven to 11 year-olds.

Parents who have applied for a Year 3 place for their child for September, should have been notified by Borough of Poole if they have been successful.

Vicky Wales, head of children, young people and learning said: "In case there were delays in the new school opening, parents interested in Ocean Academy were asked to apply for another junior school as well.

"Some parents will now find they are offered a place at Ocean Academy Poole and another junior school. They will need to decide which school place to accept by 30 April 2015."

Borough of Poole and Aspirations Academies Trust will continue to work closely together over the summer months to ensure everything is in place to open Ocean Academy Poole to pupils in September 2015.

Ellen Humphries, former head of Courthill Infant School, is principal designate for the academy. She said: "We have already recruited some excellent teachers and are planning a comprehensive transition process.

"Staff will visit children in their infant school during the summer term and will meet with families and current teachers. We will also be holding a Welcome to Ocean Academy meeting for new starters on July 2."

Youngsters at the new school will find bright classrooms, a large hall, a food technology room, and a library/learning resource centre.

Outside there will be playground areas including quiet seating spaces, activity spaces, allotments, a full size sports pitch, multi use games area and a woodland area.

This will be the third AAT academy in the south coast district and the trust's 11th academy as a whole. Locally these include Magna Academy Poole and Jewell Academy Bournemouth.

However although completed at the same time as the rest of the school, the sports pitch will not be handed over until August 2016 - to allow time for the grass to grow.