THREE secondary schools in the county could become partly privately-sponsored independent academies.

And one of them could have the billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, who founded the computer company Microsoft, as a key sponsor.

The Government has given the green light to county education chiefs to press ahead with drawing up feasibility plans to convert Canterbury’s Montgomery School, The Southlands School in New Romney and Minster College on Sheppey into independent academies. It is possible that all three schools could be torn down and re-built.

Kent County Council said it was delighted by the news, saying it could eventually result in a £55million investment for the three. Although the Department for Education’s announcement does not automatically guarantee all will join the Government’s academy programme, it is a significant step forward.

Academies are a cornerstone of the Government’s education strategy. They are independent of local education authorities and must secure £2million sponsorship from private sponsors before getting the go-ahead.

The involvement of Microsoft as a potential sponsor of an academy at the Southlands School is regarded as a major coup for the county. Bill Gates has already invested heavily in setting up charter schools in America in deprived communities.

KCC cabinet member for education Cllr John Simmonds (Con) said: "This significant investment will help to totally transform secondary education in the county."

However, the academy programme has not been without its critics and has aroused controversy, with some unhappy about the involvement and degree of control of private sponsors and amount of money spent on them.

In Sheppey, KCC has been under fire from local schools on the island over its academy plans because of its link to a re-organisation of middle schools.

Kent’s first academy opened last September when the former Ramsgate School re-opened as the Marlowe Academy.