A SCHOOL celebrating its 400th anniversary this year has formally submitted plans for a major rebuild.

Wolsingham School and Community College is split over two sites, including the 103-year-old lower school and the newer upper school campus, built in the 1970s.

Durham County Council will now consider the school’s plans to build an extension to the 1911-built school building, which used to be Wolsingham Grammar School, with a view to eventually demolishing the 1970s-built block.

The leisure centre and swimming pool on the upper school site would be unaffected by the change, with further sports areas being developed The plans would see around 3,500sq metres of new building spread across three floors, containing class rooms, specialist science laboratories, sixth form centre, technology workshops and art studios.

The extension would also house a performing arts hall, music rooms and recording studios for the school’s 900 pupils, aged 11 to 19.

In a statement to the council’s planning department, the redevelopment team said: “The new block is intended to move the site forward into modern times departing from the now dilapidated 1970s blocks, which the school currently occupy.

“While it is intended as a modern addition to the landscape, it is aesthetically detailed in such a way as to remain sensitive to the context, needs and heritage of the site.

“Lightweight connections between the old and new allow each building to stand in its own right, while endearing a welcome contrast between old and new.”

The view of the front of the old school building from Leazes View will remain virtually unchanged with the new extension plugged into the back of the building.

The team behind the redevelopment also said every step would be taken to protect the memorial oaks planted along the lower school playing field in 1918 to commemorate the 18 pupils killed in the First World War.

The school, founded by the Prince Bishop of Durham in 1614 to educate poor boys, is planning a gala celebration to mark the anniversary, from Friday to Sunday, July 18 to 20.