Councillors yesterday approved a controversial new school academy.

Members of Brighton and Hove City Council's cabinet unanimously voted in favour of closing Falmer High School to make way for a sponsor-backed academy.

The statutory notice to close the school in August 2010 will be published by the council's director of children's services on September 1.

The Falmer Academy will be backed by multi millionaire Rod Aldridge, the entrepreneur and former chairman of the Capita Group. It will replace the 1950s high school in Lewes Road, Brighton.

The cabinet meeting at Hove Town Hall was preceded by protests outside the building.

The Brighton Schools Not For Sale group handed out flyers and held placards.

Jim Guild, of the group, said: "We want to make it plain that this is a privatisation disguised by the bribe of new buildings.

"The Falmer Academy will be entirely in the control of Rod Aldridge and his Foundation.

He'll appoint the head, the governors, the teachers, design the admissions policy, direct the curriculum - he'll virtually decide what's on the school lunch menu."

At the meeting, Councillor Vanessa Brown, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "This is a really exciting project for the community of Falmer.

"Falmer High School is an improving school but one that desperately needs investment."

Councillor Ted Kemble called it a once in a lifetime opportunity, while Councillor Maria Caulfield said: "It is one of the most important developments we have in this city because its sole aim is to improve the education and lives of young people.

"If we miss this opportunity then it is a whole generation of children who will suffer."

Labour councillor Pat Hawkes spoke of the group's support of the scheme and said: "The absolute definitive reason we support this is the educational needs of young people." The concept of academies was introduced by former prime minister Tony Blair to inject money and private-sector expertise into education in deprived areas.

A person or organisation is invited to contribute up to £2 million to the cost of building a new school. The rest of the money comes from the taxpayer.

The Green Party in Brighton and Hove is against the scheme.

Before the meeting Councillor Keith Taylor said: "We are totally opposed to privatising public services. This is basically selling off council assets and consigning the education of children into the hands of a business person who has no expertise in education."

Portslade-born Mr Aldridge replaced the original sponsor Jon Aisbitt after he dropped out in February, saving the £26 million project.

Mr Aldridge will be in the hotseat today as part of our Friday Inquisition series, where readers can put their questions to him via our website theargus.co.uk.

Mr Aldridge is online fron 12.30-1.30pm to answer your questions about Falmer academy. To submit questions click here.