STUDENTS at the new Eden Boys’ Free School will continue to study at their "temporary school" for the rest of the year — with a new £10 million development now set to open in January.

In September last year, 150 boys started their studies at the former Falcon View Social Education Centre in Cotton Street.

The site is the short-term home of the Tauheedul Education Trust’s new free school — while building work on the permanent school takes place.

The Trust has now asked Bolton Council for permission to continue to teach at the temporary site for another year — but hopes it will be able to move into the new site before then.

The £10 million school in Wolfenden Street is currently taking shape and will eventually house 700 pupils.

A new year seven intake of about 100 extra pupils will start at the Falcon View site this September.

All 250 boys are then expected to transfer to the Wolfenden Street development in January.

A staggered intake will then continue up until 2018, when the full 700 pupil capacity will be reached, including a 200-strong sixth form.

The school project is being funded through the government’s flagship free school programme.

Bolton Council's planning committee is expected to approve the application for students to remain at the temporary school today.

Shabir Fazal, the school’s principle, said: “The building is scheduled to be finished in December and we are on course to open up in January.

“The new permission will just make sure that all our bases are covered, because you never know what might happen — but everything is coming along really well.”

“The builders are doing a great job on the project — I was in there the other day and it all looks great — the kids are really excited about moving in.”

The £10 million state-of-the-art Eden Boys’ campus is being built on the site of the former Wolfenden School, which closed in 2003.

The Tauheedul Free Schools Trust was formed following the success of the Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School in Blackburn.

Although it is designated as a Muslim faith school, applications are welcome from families of all faiths.