Secret negotiations are continuing over the exact location of where Slough's planned new school will be - amidst growing rumours that it will be on the site of the Chalvey Community Centre at the Green in Chalvey.

The planned new Grove Academy will provide education across the age ranges from nursery up to 18 and applications are already being accepted.

But prospective parents are only being told that it will be somewhere in the Chalvey area.

At last week's meeting of the Chalvey Forum community group angry and bemused members wanted to know why they are being kept in the dark about the plans.

Members believed Chalvey Community Centre, its nearby Hangout building and part of the recreation ground could be earmarked to make way for the new school.

They all support the new school. But the Forum's treasurer Lynda Bussley said: "We need to know what we will get in return if they take away these facilities.

"Our councillors and MP ought to talk to us and tell us what's happening."

But this week a clearer picture emerged as to why no formal announcement had been made about a site for the school.

Cllr Sabia Hussain, Slough Borough Council's deputy leader and leader for education, told the Observer that a site had been pinpointed. But she said it could not be publicly identified yet, as the Department of Education was engaged in delicate negotiations to acquire it as it is not all council owned.

She acknowledged time was of the essence now, saying: "If we don't enable the Department of Education to complete the transation we could lose school 1,600 places. This is really big."

Meanwhile about 30 children are already signed up for Year seven at the new school, which has announced a September opening.

It will not be built by then of course but plans have been prepared for a temporary location.