FOUR Southampton schools are to close and be replaced by two new controversial city academies.

Millbrook Community School, Oaklands Community School, Grove Park Business and Enterprise College and Woolston School Language College will all be axed in August next year.

They will be replaced by two academies - state funded independent schools that fall outside the council's control - on the Oaklands and Grove Park sites.

Other changes will see Redbridge Community School receive 2.5m pounds to expand and accommodate 150 new places bringing the total number on roll up to 1050.

Sholing Technology College will also be given 520,000 pounds to become mixed and expand by 100 new places to 105.

Yesterday Southampton's Conservative cabinet agreed Oasis Community Learning - a Christian organisation backed by Southampton YMCA and the Winchester Church of England Diocese should create and run the new academies.

FOR MORE SEE TONIGHT'S DAILY ECHO

Click HERE to read the report the council considered