Plans to close Intake High and South Leeds High School in Middleton Park and re-open them as academies was approved by Leeds City Council's executive board.

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The recommendations to approve the unconditional closures of both schools were agreed by the executive board after there were no objections to the statutory notices regarding the academy proposals which were publicised between December 12 2008 and January 23 2009.

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Councillor Richard Harker, executive board member for education at Leeds City Council, said: "Leeds City Council and Education Leeds believe this is the best way to achieve rapid and sustainable improvements at both schools. The proposals were also supported by both schools' leadership teams and governing bodies.

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"Transforming the schools into academies will mean improved provision in both areas of the city which will result in better outcomes for children, young people and the local communities."

Chris Edwards chief executive of Education Leeds, said: "We are committed to ensuring world class outcomes for every young person in Leeds and believe that academies in this instance are the best way of achieving this.

"We are now looking forward to working with the sponsors of both academies to transform these two schools so that all the young people who attend them have an even greater opportunity to be happy, healthy, safe and successful."

The proposals to transform the schools into academies were made by Education Leeds last year.

The Garforth-based Schools Partnership Trust will sponsor the academy in south Leeds, while Edutrust will sponsor the academy in Bramley.

Both schools currently fall into the government's National Challenge programme and have to raise standards so that 30 per cent of pupils achieve five or more A*-C GCSEs, including English and maths, by 2011.