AN independent catholic school will NOT be set up in Melbourn in September. Despite more than 160 families showing an interest in the school, St Etheldreda s College, not enough were willing to commit to the project. The new school would have been based a

AN independent catholic school will NOT be set up in Melbourn in September.

Despite more than 160 families showing an interest in the school, St Etheldreda's College, not enough were willing to commit to the project.

The new school would have been based at Melbourn Bury for 11-18-year-olds.

Parent Helen Fox, who spearheaded the project with the help of other parents and teachers, said: "The number of pupils about to enter secondary school education in September was not sufficient.

"It's difficult to get confidence in this sort of thing because we haven't got a track record for parents to look at and some parents are looking at team sports which would be difficult with small numbers in the initial years."

Instead the committee will be rethinking the project.

Although they will no longer consider Melbourn Bury due to the fact that the property has been sold, they will continue to look for a site in south Cambridgeshire because extensive research showed there was a demand in the area.

Mrs Fox said: "It was disappointing after all the work, but there was a lot of enthusiasm from a lot of people."

Head teacher Margaret Shinkwin said: "I admire the parents and their venture and I will continue to support them."

If the school was set up it would have cost £5,000-£6,000 per year and initially opened with Year 7 to Year 9 with a view to expand in the future to a maximum of 400 pupils.