Plans to open a new sixth form centre in an historic former Barclays Bank have been approved by Buckinghamshire Council.

Westminster House is a Grade II Listed Building in Gerrards Cross on the corner of Packhorse Road and South Park, which dates to the early 20th century.

The iconic building was designed by architects Edgington and Spink, (now Edgingtons Architects) who worked at Windsor Castle.

It has most recently been used as office space and residential flats across the first and second floors, following the closure of the bank.

However, the entire building will now be used for educational purposed after nearby Thorpe House School’s application for change of use was approved by the council.

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The independent boys school’s new co-educational sixth form for pupils aged 16-18 is set to open at Westminster House next year, with applications now open on the school’s website.

Around 20-25 year 12 students split between four or five subjects will be welcomed to the site in September 2024 under the first phase of the new sixth form.

Access will be from the ground floor during this period, with classes of around six pupils taking place across the first and second floors.

A further 20-25 year 12 pupils will join the sixth form as part of the second phase of opening in September 2025, when the ground floor will also be in use.

From September 2024, the sixth form will take on three to four new members of staff who will be permanently based at the site before hiring an additional two to three staff the following year.