Portland schools have received a ‘cast-iron’ guarantee of £28million to fund the controversial new academy.

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls made the promise that if Labour retained power after the general election then they would ring fence the schools budget for three years, meaning that the money promised for the Portland Academy would be safe.

But opponents want a public meeting with council chiefs amid fears that popular and successful schools will be swallowed by the academy.

Mr Balls joined South Dorset MP Jim Knight to address a meeting of head teachers and staff from various Portland schools that will be affected by the new academy system, including representatives from the Chesil Cove Federation and Grove Infants School.

Mr Balls said: “From Labour it’s a 100 per cent cast iron guarantee that the money’s there. The figures add up and make sense. 750 communities around the UK are building schools for the future.”

He added: “Jim Knight has been doggedly determined to get the new educational transformation in Portland, we wouldn’t dare not give the funding with him here.

“But it is also very important for the children of Portland.”

The proposed Portland Academy would see the islands schools joined together to form an academy over three main sites at the Chesil Cove site at Osprey Quay, Southill near Portland Bill and Independent Quay near Easton.

The plans would feature an ‘all through’ education system where care would be available from birth until 19 years old. The sites will include Sure Start centres and nurseries.

Debbie Smith, the chair of Governors at Grove Infants School, said: “It was really good that everyone had the chance to put their points to Ed Balls. Many people were concerned with the budget deficit how committed he was to seeing it through.

“He gave us a commitment that they will take the academy forward. A lot of people are concerned that it has not been tried, but there are 20 sites in the country at the moment.”

“As a parent this is a great opportunity for our children and I have lived here all my life and I have never seen an opportunity like this. I’m very passionate about the plans”

Mrs Smith said that although the schools would be ‘all through,’ children would be separated into different ages at across the three sites, with facilities for nursery and pre-school available. But not all schools and teachers have been enthusiastic.

Many are concerned for their jobs as teachers, assistants and support staff such as dinner ladies and caretakers. Janice Day, a nursery assistant at Chesil Cove Federation, said: “There has been a lot of negativity and rumours. We are trying to put out as much information for parents and teachers as possible.”