Student places: The Hastings Academy – 900 boys and girls aged 11 to 16; The St Leonards Academy – 1,500 boys and girls aged 11 to 16.

Sponsors: University of Brighton, BT (British Telecom) and East Sussex County Council.

Location and timing: Opening in the existing three school buildings in September 2011; the Academies' buildings are due to be completed at Hillcrest (The Hastings Academy) and Filsham Valley (The St Leonards) sites in September 2012.

Curriculum: Caters for students of all abilities, building on existing provision for students with special educational needs; offers a wide choice of courses and subjects plus greater learning opportunities through the sponsors and local partnerships

Specialisms: Information Communications Technology for both Academies plus English for The Hastings Academy, and Mathematics for The St Leonards Academy.

Sixth-form provision: None, both would build on existing links with further and higher education establishments, including Sussex Coast College and Bexhill Sixth Form College, to enable students to continue with their studies in the local area.

Community: The Academies will work in partnership with the local community and offer them access to new lifelong learning opportunities and recreational activities.