ACADEMY schools will be given local authority grants to expand to meet a rising demand for pupils.

Bolton Council has outlined how much academies and voluntary aided schools will receive to accommodate extra young people.

Academy schools are state-funded independent schools ­— and as such no longer local authority schools ­— they along with voluntary aided schools are responsible for undertaking capital works at their schools and have the opportunity to access funding outside of the local authority to undertake such works.

But they have access to local authority funding if a need has been identified to increase school capacity because of a rising demand and to "ensure that the local authority continues to meet its statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient school places available for all children who require a place".

Essa Academy in Great Lever will receive a maximum of £1.5 million, Sharples Academy will receive up to £2,200,000, St Joseph's RC High School, a voluntary aided school, will be given £2,680,858 and a Thornleigh Salesian College, a voluntary aided school will receive £1,990,000.

The expansion scheme is part of a multi-million plan to create extra high school places

Primary schools in Bolton where classes of more than 30 pupils are 'common' will also be expanded to take more pupils thanks to a cash injection of £4.75 million.

A Bolton Council report stated: "The proposed expansion of the secondary schools above is progressing and a number are now

subject to consideration of planning permission. Thereafter, the schemes will be tendered, and

work will soon commence on site.

"In order to allow the schemes to progress through to Tender and contract award it is necessary to confirm the proposed means of supporting the schools with the necessary capital costs of their proposed expansions. Since the proposed works will be undertaken by the schools themselves, utilizing their own consultants and contractors, it is proposed that the funding will be made available by way of a grant, from the local authority, which will be supported by the council’s Basic Need allocation."