A police station which was put up for sale last summer is to be turned into a sixth form college.

Stem Academy Croydon Gateway has received confirmation from the Department for Education that it will be located at the former South Norwood police station, in Oliver Grove, South Norwood.

When it opens its doors, with the expected opening date of September next year, it will specialise in science, technology, engineering and maths for students aged 16 to 19.

Academy founder Virginie Ramond said: “Securing the site is a key milestone for STEM Academy Croydon Gateway.

“Since the launch of our first academy in east London last year, we’ve been keen to replicate its success for students with a passion for Stem subjects in south London.”

When the building was a police station it housed CID, uniformed officers, the safer neighbourhood team and response teams, and was the borough's only other 24-hour front counter apart from Croydon police station.

In September 2012 the Mayor's office agreed the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) could sell off the station as it needed to save millions of pounds from its budget.

The opening of the school next September is subject to Stem Academy entering into a funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Education.