Government approves two academies

New buildings are planned for the two sponsored academies

Two academies in West Sussex have been given the go-head by schools minister Andrew Adonis.

The £58m facilities will be opened on the sites of the Littlehampton Community School and the Boundstone Community College in September 2009.

They will be sponsored by Woodward Schools and West Sussex County Council.

The authority said the current school buildings would be rebuilt and modernised during the 2011/2012 academic year.

About £27m is to be spent on the Academy at Boundstone which will have places for 1,200 pupils and 200 sixth form students in Lancing and Sompting.

The Littlehampton Academy is set to received about £31m and will have a 1,900 capacity, including places for 250 sixth formers.

The council said both academies would have £5m spent on "information communication technology".

Peter Griffiths, of West Sussex County Council, said: "I am confident the academies will enhance the educational opportunities available to young people in Littlehampton and Lancing and will also make a significant contribution to the whole community."