THE BBC, Channel 4 Television, Microsoft and Manchester Airport could become backers for a new generation of schools in Manchester.

They are among organisations which have showed interest in sponsoring six privately-backed academies in the city.

Plans put before councillors today show that some of the world's biggest companies are vying to get behind the é152m project.

Academies are a key policy of the Labour government. Sponsors provide cash and resources in return for a say in how the schools are run.

Earlier this year, the M.E.N. reported how Manchester council planned to build six academies, each specialising in a modern industry, including media, digital communication, construction and healthcare.

Education bosses launched a é500,000 hunt to find suitable sponsors and have now unveiled a list of 17 companies which have indicated interest.

These include telecoms firms BT and O2, builder Laing O'Rourke, and Central Manchester NHS Trust. Mancat and City College have also expressed interest. Organisations originally had to provide é2m towards the running of each school but the government relaxed this condition to attract more sponsors and they can now provide less.

It is unclear what contribution the organisations intend to offer in Manchester.

Growth

Pauline Newman, director of children's services at the council, said: "We are very pleased at the level of interest from companies within Manchester's economic growth sectors.

"We are now working hard with all those wishing to invest in the educational future of Manchester's children to ensure the very best provision for all pupils in the city."

A BT spokesman said: "We are impressed with the plans."

The council plans to turn five existing schools into academies - Plant Hill in Higher Blackley, Brookway and Parklands schools in Wythenshawe, North Manchester High School for Girls in Moston, and North Manchester High School for Boys in Blackley.

There would be new buildings on each of the existing five sites and council also hopes to build a new academy in East Manchester.

Council bosses in Salford have backed plans to transform Hope High School into a city academy.

Under the plans, the school would move to a new building at Salford Quays and specialise in media and information technology.

The school would not be selective, accepting pupils regardless of their faith or academic ability, and would be run by educational charity the Oasis Trust, Salford council and the Department for Education.

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