London to get extra city academy schools

London's struggling education system is to be overhauled as part of a government drive to regain the confidence of parents.

In a move which acknowledges that many of the capital's schools are failing their pupils, Estelle Morris, the Secretary of State for Education, will announce next week that London is to get its own education strategy.

The plan will include a huge increase in the number of flagship city academy schools after Ms Morris convinced the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, to fund at least 25 of the schools in London, more than double the number previously planned.

London is expected to receive a significant share of the new money to be allocated to education by the Chancellor in his spending review, due to be unveiled on 10 July.

Teaching unions condemned the plan. Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "This is extremely disappointing. Many of the problems that London faces will not be solved by setting up an alternative structure of schools. London schools face acute teacher shortages which do not help pupil behaviour and standards.

"Setting up 25 city academies across London will only add to the problems and do nothing to help the majority of pupils."

Ms Morris will launch the "London Challenge" on Monday to persuade parents, teachers, business leaders and local authorities to contribute ideas towards a new strategy for the capital's schools which will focus on improving exam results, pupil behaviour and parents' choice of schools.

The Education minister Stephen Twigg has been appointed London Schools minister and will publish the first strategic plan for the capital this autumn.

The new investment is a recognition that London schools have to cope with many unique problems. Official statistics show that children in London have less chance of getting into a school of their choice than pupils elsewhere in Britain.