Medway's first school academy opens its doors today.

Strood Academy, in Carnation Road, marks a new era in secondary education for the area – another two are in the pipeline.

It was created after Medway Council gave the go-ahead to close Chapter School and Temple School. It will offer 240 places and work closely with the University for the Creative Arts.

Rose Collinson, director of children and adult services for Medway Council, said: "The academy will make a difference and transform learning for students and the wider community across Strood."

Two more academies are planned for Medway. New Brompton College, Gillingham, is earmarked for academy status while Medway Community College and Chatham South School will close to make way for the Chatham Academy.

Academies are partly privately funded and partly government funded.