PLANS for a new school have emerged just hours after hopes for a city academy were dashed.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council had hoped to build an academy, costing up to £16m, in Brotton but was forced to admit defeat after discussions with a commercial sponsor broke down.

However, the education authority has hatched plans for a new school which, unlike the academy, would remain under local government control.

The council wanted an academy for East Cleveland because fewer pupils were attending Freebrough Community College - formed five years ago to replace three former schools in Brotton, Skelton and Loftus.

Discussions were opened with developers the Vardy Foundation, which has already been involved in building academies in Gateshead and Middlesbrough. Talks broke down when education officers at the council disagreed about what should be on the academic curriculum.

However, it emerged this week that new plans were being considered for a school to be built on one of Freebrough College's three sites.

The chief executive of the council, Colin Moore, said: "It is simply not true to suggest that because we are considering an alternative to a City Academy for East Cleveland, this will threaten the future of secondary education in the area.

"Since May we have been in discussions with Amey Plc, with whom we are already involved in a major strategic partnership, over the possibility of them developing a project to build a new school. We are very hopeful that, if those discussions prove successful, it will provide excellent facilities and opportunities for the children."

Amey has prepared a full business case for the proposed new school that will be presented to councillors next week. It is anticipated Amey would pay the bulk of the building costs and the tax-payer would pay interest charges in a 25-year deal.