A council task force has found ways of delivering “more for less” with the first phase targeted on improvements at eight schools.

The plans are based on a design concept called EdVenture which will see schools built under a structure similar to that used on modern airport terminal buildings.

The council said the schemes are much cheaper than traditional construction and allow the internal layouts to be much more flexible.

Council Leader Joe Anderson said: “When the Government axed our Building Schools for the Future programme, we were determined to find an alternative way forward to make sure our youngsters get the best possible start in life.

“We have addressed some of the key concerns of Government around the cost of Building Schools for the Future by coming up with an innovative alternative for constructing schools which gives huge flexibility at a much lower cost.

“We believe that by working with all of the possible partners such as schools, the Dioceses and private developers, together with the sale of sites we can deliver Phase One of the programme.

“However, if we want to complete Phase Two as well we will need financial assistance from the Government so we will be doing our utmost to convince the Department for Education that it deserves a contribution from Whitehall.”

The EdVenture schemes are:

• Archbishop Beck Catholic High School relocated to Long Lane with an option of co-locating with a special school. Start date: Autumn 2012 with opening in Autumn 2013
• St John Bosco Arts College on the Stonebridge Cross development with the possibility of it becoming co-educational and with an option of co-locating with a special school. Start date: Dependent upon wider Stonebridge Cross scheme
• Notre Dame Catholic College on a new site adjacent to Everton Park Sports Centre on Great Homer Street as part of the wider Project Jennifer regeneration scheme. Start date: June 2012 with opening in autumn 2013

The other proposals are:

• Holly Lodge Girls College to be partially rebuilt through construction of new buildings and disposing of the front half of the site. Start date: 2013 with opening in 2015
• Relocating Archbishop Blanch Church of England High School and St Hilda’s Church of England High School on the Edge Lane corridor as part of the wider regeneration of the area. The Governors of St Hilda’s may also consult on becoming co-educational. Start date: Early 2013 with opening in 2015
• Rebuild and co-locate St Julie’s Catholic High School with SFX (St Francis Xavier’s) College on the Beaconsfield campus with a shared sixth form. Start date: 2015 with completion in 2017