An independent international college is set for major expansion after announcing plans to take over a former high school.

Felixstowe International College (FIC), which charges £22,500 a year, is aiming to increase its students from dozens to hundreds when it moves into the town’s old Deben High School as part of a deal with Suffolk County Council.

The college, a Christian school which welcomes pupils of all faiths, says it is growing rapidly and its current premises – part of the former Felixstowe College – in Maybush Lane, Old Felixstowe, will soon not be large enough.

The county council has come to an agreement with FIC to allow them to operate from the old Deben site, which was one of the Felixstowe Academy campuses until it moved into a new purpose-built school, on a temporary basis while negotiations progress towards purchase of the property.

FIC’s use of the site will begin early in 2015, ready for the start of the academic school term, with activities split between the site in Garrison Lane and its current premises.

Over the next few months it is expected a planning application will be submitted to create full boarding accommodation and other facilities. The playing fields are protected and will remain.

Dr Joseph Kim, of FIC, said: “We are delighted to be moving into the former Deben School. Since the new administration took over Felixstowe International College in June 2012, the registered numbers of students has tripled and is still growing rapidly.

“The administration is hoping to expand further the number of students coming to the college and look forward to welcoming students of every nationality to Felixstowe.

“As of January 2015, FIC has registered students from South Korea, China, and Tanzania and more overseas students are expected to come from Ukraine, Japan and Brazil. All our students are full boarding students, but we plan to have day students as well.”

Jenny Antill, county council cabinet member for resource management, said: “Felixstowe International College is an asset to Felixstowe, providing jobs and putting money into the local economy. It is good to see a local business expanding and reusing buildings that could be difficult to use and may otherwise be demolished.”