The council, Liverpool university, and both Liverpool’s Catholic Archdiocese and Church of England Diocese will act as co-sponsors.

Last night Tim Warren, the council’s assistant executive education director, said: “Enterprise have gone far beyond what is expected and contributed £2m of their own money for what is their first ever academy – a flagship for the city. The academy will ensure pupils’ skills are matched to business through an up to date curriculum responding to skills shortages.”

Academies set their own curriculum and are financed by private sponsors. The government aims to open 200 to raise standards in disadvantaged areas.

But Julie-Lyon Taylor, the National Union of Teachers, Liverpool secretary is concerned.

She said: “If this happens, this is another faith school, another academy, meaning they outweigh the eight state secondaries we’re left with.

“The whole thing is unsatisfactory and the union can see no reason why falling rolls cannot be addressed by creating a community comprehensive serving the Garston area.”

Liverpool already has three academies, North Liverpool Academy in Anfield, Kensington’s St Francis of Assisi and former independent Belvedere school, in Princes Park.

Consultation is now under way, with the council due to submit a detailed business plan in July.