WITHINS School could become the first in Bolton to be run by a private company.

Education bosses are exploring the idea of turning the school into a City Academy - as part of a series of options to secure funding for new facilities on the site.

Under the scheme, sponsors from the voluntary or business sector or faith groups, would be found to invest in building work or modernisation of school premises, and then run the academy.

The Sponsors would provide 20 per cent of the start-up costs of an academy with the Government paying the rest.

If the plans get the go-ahead, companies would be able to exert a far reaching influence over the school, helping to shape its curriculum, classroom materials and work experience placements.

Around 10 per cent of pupils could also be selected on the basis of their ability in a particular subject.

As an academy, Withins would also enjoy some of the benefits of being an independent school such as offering bonuses to attract good staff and the freedom to depart from the National Curriculum.

Margaret Blenkinsop, Director of Education and Culture, confirmed that the city academy route was one of a number of options being considered if the school is unable to secure enough funding for new facilities.

Education bosses also intend to create a primary school and a construction and skills academy on the site.

Mrs Blenkinsop said the plans were "at an early stage" but added that every local authority will have to nominate one school to become an academy under the Building Schools for the Future initiative.

Mrs Blenkinsop said: "At the moment the only schools that can qualify for city academy must have less that 25 per cent A to C passes at GCSE.

"Currently, only four schools qualify under the criteria. Deane is out of the running because is being restarted and will come under the remit of Rivington and Blackrod High School.

"George Tomlinson is a foundation school and it would not be up to us to push it forward for them, which leaves just Hayward and Withins."

Cllr Linda Thomas, executive member for education, denied the plans had been discussed at a political level.

She said: "We are not homing in on one school in particular - we've talked about building schools for the future.zs"

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North-east, said: "Clearly there have been some problems at the school with numbers of pupils and I certainly support anything that would bring further investment into the education system."