A Church of England-sponsored academy school specialising in design and architecture could replace a defunct North Finchley secondary school.

Christ Church School, in Hilton Avenue, North Finchley, closed in July 2005 because of its continued poor performance.

Its proposed replacement, Wren Academy, which would cater for 1,000 students aged 11 to 18 and be on the same site as the former school.

A six-week public consultation began last Monday, with the academy hoping to open in September next year if its plans are approved by the council and residents.

The council, which would not be involved in the running of the school or its financing, is backing the academy.

In June last year, Councillor John Marshall, cabinet member for investment in learning, said he was delighted that this site will continue to provide educational opportunities for children in the area'.

The academy would make available half the places for children of Christian faith and half for children of other or no faith.

Its specialism would be design and the built environment', making it only the second specialist in that field in the country.

A spokesman for the London Diocesan Board for Schools (LDBS), which would run the school, said: "Our aim is to produce the architects, designers and civil engineers of tomorrow.

"It will be a school not just for Christians but it will have a strong Christian ethos."

Another feature of the academy will be the composition of the classes.

Though a mixed-sex school, it plans to have single-sex classes in some subjects, particularly in many classes at the younger age ranges.

"We believe that is good socially and has academic benefits," said the spokesman.

The academy envisages a major building project to renew the existing buildings on the site as well as creating new accommodation'.

To have your say and for more information, visit www.wrenacademy.org. From February 1, from 2pm to 8pm, in the school hall, members of the public can see the preliminary designs and hear more about the plans.