An academy in Chatham will be built around the character and beliefs of one of the schools it is replacing.

Chatham South staff will be expected to raise standards and achievements when it is merged with Medway Community College in 2010, according to Rochester's diocesan education board.

The Church of England is the lead sponsor for the new academy.

Canon John Smith, the diocesan education director, said Chatham South had a very good record for dealing with very similar children to Medway Community College.

MCC was placed in special measures following an Ofsted report earlier this year.

The academy will be built on the MCC site in Magpie Hall Road.

Medway Council's education chief Rose Collinson hopes it will be ready for pupils by September 2012.

More details in Friday's Medway Messenger