COUNCIL executives have signalled the go ahead for plans to merge St Aelred's Catholic Technology College and Newton Community High.

St Helens Council's executive committee has agreed to recommend the closure of the schools to the Secretary of State, paving the way for the state-of-the-art £33 million Newton Academy.

In February the executive approved the publication of notices to propose the closure of the schools.

At a meeting on May 15, councillors considered a detailed report, which responded to objections and set out the reasons why the proposals should continue.

The councillors present advised officers should continue to work with the Liverpool Catholic Archdiocese, the Church of England Diocese of Liverpool and Hope University, which will sponsor the Christian/Church of England academy.

Executive member, Clr Shirley Evans, said: "This is an important step on the road to allow us to forge ahead with an exciting project that will benefit young people in the Newton area, the associated parishes of St Aelred's, and the wider community as a whole."

"The academy, if given final approval, will create a superb learning environment and will allow us to ensure the highest possible quality of education in the local area."

The proposed Newton Academy, which would be based Newton Community High School's, Ashton Road site, would have strong ethos based on Christian values and would cater for 1,650 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18.

Many people have objected to the decisions to close the schools.

Last month pupils at St Aelred's took part in a peaceful protest against the merging of the two Newton secondary schools.

If the academy plans for the get the final go-ahead, intake will start in September 2011.