Car magnate Sir Peter Vardy, who is chairman of the Emmanuel Schools Foundation, the Evangelical Christian charity behind Thorne's Trinity Academy, will chair the board and will be joined by John Hair and Ernie Bridgewood, who have been appointed as co-opted directors.

Both former teachers, Mr Hair, originally from Mexborough, was former head of maths and deputy head of Bircotes and Harworth Community School and is an active member of the Salvation Army. Mr Bridgewood, a practising Christian, spent 33 years teaching in Doncaster and was head of IT at Hall Cross School for 12 years.

Coun Tony Sockett, a former teacher and youth worker and currently the cabinet member for education and culture, is the LEA's nominated director.

Sponsor director is Graham Johnson, pastor of Assemblies of God Church in Thorne, heavily involved in Christian education through the church. A former chef and engineer, Mr Johnson is also a school governor at King Edward Primary School, Thorne.

A fifth director from outside the Doncaster area, Nigel Robson, a partner of Eversheds law firm, has also been appointed.

A parent director and a director from the local business community are still to be appointed with the parent director elected via a secret ballot of parents.

So far, 200 parents have applied for a place for their child in Year 7 when the new academy opens its doors next September. The maximum number of places in the year group is 224. The deadline for applications is October 22.