The £200m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme - the biggest ever reorganisation of schools in the borough - has moved one step closer after representatives involved in the scheme met Mayor Martin Winter and Doncaster Council's BSF team to discuss the project and officially agree to enter into the next phase.

Top of the agenda at the meeting was firming up the controversial academy proposals for Balby Carr College, North Doncaster Technology College and Northcliffe School as part of this official approval.

Six schools had initially been earmarked to be transformed into academies, an idea which would hand businesses or organisations such as universities the opportunity to co-sponsor them, but following fierce opposition Hatfield Visual Arts College, The Armthorpe School and Don Valley School distanced themselves from the revolutionary idea during the first round of consultation.

Despite proposals to turn North Doncaster Technology College - which was put in special measures earlier this year - into an academy, chairman of governors, Coun John Mounsey believes the decision is not cut and dry, despite plans progressing.

"When NDTC get the GCSE results we are expecting a big improvement if that is the case I'll be chuffed for the teachers, pupils and the school.

"If we can prove we can do it , it will be interesting to see which way it goes whether it's academy or foundation trust. I'm keeping an open mind at this stage and would urge others to do so, I think the results could sway things one way or another."

Major concerns that were raised during the public consultation, including the need for more information on the required number of pupil places were also raised at the Mansion House meeting and an updated report on future school places and their impact on school organisation is to be submitted to Partnerships for Schools (PfS) this week.

Meanwhile, representatives of Hall Cross School, are feeling more positive about the programme. There was outrage back in January where it was revealed at a public meeting that the BSF proposal included considering closing the historic Thorne Road site in the town centre to create a single-site school in Bessacarr and reduce the size of its successful sixth form.

Chair of governors, said: "Headteacher Pippa Dodgshon will be working with senior staff, Governors and consultants over the summer to help develop a vision for Hall Cross that can then form part of a vital consultation process with other key partners such as our primary colleagues.

"We have been given some licence and encouragement to develop exciting and innovative plans - we hope that this continues because whatever the outcome of any building process it is the strategic thinking and the quality of the delivery that will be most important to the life chances of Doncaster's children and young people."

The next major milestone for BSF programme is the submission of the Strategy for Change Part 1 on August 21, this is the first stage in approving the BSF programme with government.

Following this, a range of consultation activities are planned beginning with a 120-delegate conference in September.

Mr Winter said: "This is fantastic news. Following the successful first stage of public consultation and the detailed preliminary work, I am delighted that Doncaster's BSF programme has now officially commenced.

"BSF will enable us to deliver a better start for all of Doncaster's young people and open up a wealth of opportunities for everyone in the borough.