A GOVERNMENT decision to delay a decision on capital funding for two Plymouth schools will not stop them opening as academies in September.

All Saints Academy and Marine Academy Plymouth will open as planned for the new term.

Pete Grainger, principal designate at All Saints Church of England Academy, said it had already spent "a lot of money" preparing to open the new school.

Ruth Sparkes, of Cornwall College, which is one of the sponsors of Marine Academy Plymouth, said: "We are really looking forward to the grand launch on September 4."

The Department for Education said last week that capital funding for 75 of the new academies would be delayed until after October's Comprehensive Spending Review. Mr Grainger said: "The academies and the schools receiving capital funding now are those that had the designs and procurement already in place.

"In our case, this was always going to be in 18 months' time and we weren't expecting capital allocation at this stage." Any changes in funding would be about cutting bureaucracy and not about reducing the facilities provided.

"I'm expecting to get the same facilities as planned for a lesser cost," he said.

The school will open on September 1 with 1,100 pupils. Mr Grainger said there would be a new curriculum and a new structure. "We've got an outstanding staff champing at the bit to make sure pupils get the very best," he said.

The academy's main sponsor was the Diocese of Exeter and although there would be "strong Christian values", there would be no selection by faith.

"Anyone of any faith or none is welcome," said Mr Grainger.

"We have excellent staff and the pre-opening August Ofsted inspection deemed the academy planning and preparation to be outstanding."

All Saints, sponsored by the Diocese of Exeter and UCP Marjon, will specialise in business and enterprise on the site of the former John Kitto Community College.

Marine Academy Plymouth, the former Tamarside Community College in St Budeaux, will specialise in marine and environmental studies.

The project is being sponsored by the University of Plymouth, Cornwall College and Plymouth City Council.

A council spokesman said: "It's still all systems go for the two academies.

"Plymouth City Council officers and members will continue to lobby for funds to improve local schools."

The University of Plymouth said: "We remain confident that discussions with the Department for Education will achieve a successful outcome.

"The sponsors and staff at the school have been working hard ahead of the official opening and we are hugely grateful to the wonderful support from right across the city to secure this important legacy for our young people."