IT COULD soon be Southend’s newest school and transform a former landmark building in the town.

Now for the first time the public has had the chance to look at proposals for the first free school in the borough.

The YMCA wants to create the school for 50 14 to 19-year-olds, who have fallen out of mainstream education, in the former Ticket House building in East Street.

Blue Sky Architects, hired by the YMCA to devise the plans, said the school would fit in with the surrounding area but would also not be a typical building as its design would mirror a new approach to education.

Chris Russell, managing director of Blue Sky Architects, said: “It’s going to be remodelled inside, re-furbished and extended. The YMCA doesn’t want it to look like a typical school and it doesn’t, so for that reason it works quite well."

Residents at the public display were positive about the proposals, with only few showing signs of concern.

Joseph Saunders, 29, who lives on the Kursaal estate, said: “It’s going to be great to see it being used by a worthy cause. The building has been there for years and been used for so many things, so to see it being used to develop youngsters and to keep them out of trouble brings something positive to the area.

Thomas Partner, 22, Newstead Road, Great Wakering, was equally as positive about the proposals. He said: “I think it’s a very good idea. I’ve worked with children who have learning difficulties and its very difficult, so it’s a great thing to provide people who need more opportunities.”

James Courtenay, Southend councillor responsible for children and learning, said: “I think the YMCA will be a good organisation to have going in there.

“Their target demographic is going be helpful to tackle some of the areas more difficult children and it will offer different types of qualifications and not just academic opportunities. I think it will be a great asset to our town.”

The new school will be called the Southend YMCA Community School. Pupils can only be referred by the education authority or another school.

Pupils may be referred there if they have been ill, but others may be sent to the school if they are having trouble ingratiating into other classrooms elsewhere.

The type of pupils at the school concerned Alan Bruton, 69, of Tickfield Avenue. He said: “Perhaps my fears are unfounded but you can’t help have them when you get excluded teenagers who can’t go to other schools because of their behaviour.”