Click HERE to read the full technical appraisal of the bids put together by council officers.

IT was a decision that will change the face of secondary schooling in Southampton.

In an open competition a London-based Christian education organisation was placed in charge of two new schools.

But handing control of new city academies to Oasis Community Learning has provoked a strong reaction from those backing a rival local bid, seen by many as the favourite.

The city's Labour MPs - one, John Denham, now Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills - together with head teachers, have condemned the decision made by the council's Tory Cabinet.

Today the councillor responsible has hit back at his critics insisting he chose the best bid.

Cabinet member for children's services and learning Councillor Peter Baillie said: "I'm completely sure I made the right decision.

"We will end up with two excellent schools. In years to come people in Southampton will look back and feel happy with the decision we've made."

Oasis, which was backed by Southampton YMCA and the Winchester Church of England Diocese, will create and run the new academies - state-funded independent schools that fall outside the council's control - from September 2008.

They will replace Millbrook Community School, Oaklands Community School, Grove Park Business and Enterprise College and Woolston School Language College which are all to close.

Most head teachers, governors, college principals and staff had hoped and expected the Southampton Education Trust (SET), made up of representatives from local organisations including the city's two universities, three further education colleges, the VT Group, Carnival and Associated British Ports, would be chosen to help run the two new schools as trusts.

John Denham MP called it a missed opportunity that ignored public consultation and snubbed the city's major employers.

The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said the trust bid was the best choice to raise educational standards.

But Cllr Baillie said: "I'm not surprised but disappointed with the reaction.

"I don't think they've read and absorbed the technical appraisal objectively.

"It's to our credit that we looked at all the options equally and came out with what we think was the best."

Cllr Baillie said there was "quite a reasonable gap" between the Oasis and SET bids, with Oasis scoring highest overall.

He added: "My prime concern was always what would be the best for the future education of children in Southampton.

"I had no interest at all in the politics of whether it should be a trust or academy."

Cllr Baillie dismissed claims he had ignored "professional advice".

He said he had received e-mails from head teachers and others involved in education backing his decision.

"There was no unanimous view on this," he said.

Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis, said he understood the "emotional response" and angst over the decision but stressed: "We won because our bid was the best technically.

"We had the support of one of the four schools that were closing, and we had the support of many of the individual teachers at the other schools."

To read more, see today's Daily Echo