STUDENTS at the specialist maths and sports academy will benefit from a new regime modelled on its sister school, Coloma.

Youngsters at the Quest Academy will have six 50-minute lessons each day – ten minutes shorter than classes at Selsdon High.

They will also benefit from two extra "lessons" at the end of the school day for vocational studies and greater exploration of the academy's specialist subject areas.

These will include sports and other activities as diverse as animal husbandry and the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme.

Supervised independent learning will also be included in this time as a substitute for traditional homework.

Principal Andy Crofts said: "Parents, especially those who work, will welcome the extended school day that will save them the cost of after-school care."

Unlike academies that have come under fire for boosting grades with so-called soft subjects, the Quest Academy will put extra resources into English and maths.

Mr Croft said: "We are increasing the amount of time spent teaching the core subjects."

The Quest Academy has also been granted permission to build a sixth form and Mr Croft is keen that the expansion, catering for 215 students, is completed by September 2012.