MOTOR dealer Sir Peter Vardy is expected to be among applicants seeking to sponsor one of three planned academy schools in his home city.

The door was opened to potential academy sponsors in Sunderland by the city council and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) on Monday.

Academy status will be granted on secondary schools at Pennywell, Hylton Red House and Castle View, with the city council announcing its intention to be a co-sponsor of all three.

Sponsors will be expected to provide up to £2m to back each academy, or up to £1m in sponsorship alongside £1m provided by the council per academy.

All proposals submitted will be subject to independent evaluation by education expert Sir Mike Tomlinson, who will assess if they are likely to raise standards.

He will also examine the commitment and visions of would-be sponsors.

City council leader Bob Symonds said: "We are delighted to be taking forward plans for the three academies in Sunderland and that Sir Mike has agreed to undertake an evaluation of the proposals."

Councillor Symonds said his input will help to secure, "the best possible education for the city's young people."

Sir Peter, who heads the Reg Vardy motor group, is a keen advocate of academies and has already opened his own under the Emmanuel Schools Foundation.

A foundation spokeswoman said: "This was expected and we will be responding to it and putting our proposal forward.

"We would like to work with the council to come up with a solution to provide the best for the young people of Sunderland."

She said Sir Peter has a commitment to sponsoring at least one academy in Sunderland, similar to what he has done in Middlesbrough, with the King's Academy.

"He wants to raise standards and provide the best education for local children.

"It's his home city and where the company is based."