Walsall Academy, Blake Valley Technology College in Cannock along with George Salter Collegiate, Ormiston Community and Shireland Collegiate in Sandwell have been told they may have to cut costs before approval will be given.
But there was some good news for Walsall. The Grace Academy at Darlaston and the Shelfield Community Academy will both go ahead.
West Bromwich East Labour MP Tom Watson described the decision to block five Black Country academies as a “kick in the teeth” for parents and vowed to campaign for a change of heart from the government.
Mr Watson added: “This is yet more disappointing news for school children in Walsall.”
Birmingham MP John Hemming welcomed Mr Gove’s intervention which he said would be good news for the construction industry.
Building firms were left “reeling” from the decision to scrap more than 700 projects when the Government pulled the plug on the Building Schools for the future programme, he added.
Mr Hemming (Lib Dem, Sheldon) said he expected the new Sheldon Heath Academy, sponsored by Birmingham’s King Edward V1 Foundation, to open by 2013. It will concentrate on performing arts and sciences and sixth form studies.
