Academies win government support

Plans for two academies in the east of England have won government support.

The Bishop of Norwich and Christian businessman Graham Dacre have pledged £2m towards the £20m costs to redevelop Heartsease High School in Norwich.

Norfolk County Council has approved the proposal despite more than 550 parents, governors and teachers objecting.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls MP announced support for nine more academies including one at Francis Combe School, Watford, during a visit there.

Currently there are 83 academies in 49 different local authority areas, but following Friday's announcement the number of academies due to open by 2010 rises to 243.

Mr Balls said the plan to accelerate the academies programme is one of the building blocks of the government's new "National Challenge" programme.