Parents, teachers and school governors have expressed concerns about the proposals, which are being put together without any input from Catmose College or Uppingham Community College.

Rutland County Council will take on responsibility for
sixthform education in the county in April because the Government is disbanding the Learning and Skills Council.

The county council said there was a danger there would be no sixthform provision in Rutland following the changes so it wants to create a new college, called Rutland County College.

Casterton Business and Enterprise College would become the admissions authority for the new college from September and would host some courses, although most would still be based at The Rutland College in Oakham.

A new college building has been promised for Oakham by 2013 if the plans go ahead.

But readers have complained that the council is not putting forward any alternative ideas and is consulting only on the Casterton plan.

Many also say the other two secondary schools – Catmose and Uppingham – should play a bigger role.

Catmose College principal Stuart Williams said: "The preference of Catmose College remains that a new college is formed, be its own admissions authority, have its own principal but be governed in partnership with the three 11-16 colleges."

But Rutland County Council said this is not financially viable and says it is concerned that "misinformation and rumour" are clouding people's views of the plans.

The first public meeting on the plans took place at Rutland County Museum in Oakham last night, with more to follow in Uppingham and Great Casterton next week.

Coun Heather Wells, (Con), portfolio holder for children and young people's services, urged people to go to the meetings to find out the facts.

She said: "They will give you the chance to find out more and ask any questions that you have.

"We are keen to hear from anybody who has a view on the project."