THE controversial figure of Michael Gove may not be in charge of education any more but his legacy lives on in a schools landscape which has been transformed in recent years.

New figures show that since it came to power in 2010 the Coalition Government has approved an unprecedented number of new schools .

Among the 400 new free schools and technical schools which have been approved across England the Government has opened seven free schools in the North-East, including the new Ingleby Manor Free School and Sixth Form and the new Discovery Free School in Newcastle.

Polam Hall School, an independent school in Darlington, is also due to become a free school.

But one of the most radical developments has been the growth of new ‘studio schools’, which have a particular emphasis on teaching teenagers science, technology engineering and mathematics, known as STEM subjects, in a business-friendly environment.

They include the Apollo Studio Academy in East Durham, which is aimed at 14-19 year olds and will specialise in offering young people the opportunity to study for qualifications leading to careers in the STEM subjects.

The 300 place school is sponsored by the Apollo Schools Trust, with backing from The Academy at Shotton Hall and East Durham College.

Students will focus on gaining employability skills in addition to the core academic curriculum, working with employers such as Caterpillar, Northumbria Healthcare NHS, Laing O’Rourke and Sherburn Stone.

The school will offer an extended day in a bid to replicate a business environment and work closely with employers on work-related, real-life projects, which makes it a unique offer for young people in that area.

Sally Hudson, principal at the Apollo Studio Academy, said: “From day one the Apollo Studio Academy will offer a new and exciting approach to education for young people.The Academy provides a completely different educational path to conventional secondary schools and sixth forms by blending academic qualifications and the world of work into one unique and outstanding learning experience. And the academy will help many more young people in East Durham reach their full potential, whilst gaining the skills and knowledge that employers tell us they need.

“What makes a studio school unique is its focus on developing learners’ employability and life skills which it carefully researches with local employers. Through the strong links studio schools make with business they are one of the most innovative, exciting and well-connected places for young people to learn.”

The other new studio school in the North-East – Studio West – is in Newcastle.

In addition the Government has backed plans for a new ‘university technical college’ in Newton Aycliffe to be known as the South Durham University Technology College.

Since 2010 more than 900 underperforming schools have been turned into sponsored academies, allowing high-performing sponsors to intervene to improve the education of young people.

In addition, a further 2,800 schools across England have been granted academy freedoms. These include powers to set the length of the school day and term and freedoms over how they spent their money and design their curriculum.

Nicky Morgan, who replaced Michael Gove as Education Secretary, said: “Delivering the best schools and skills for our young people is all part of our long term economic plan and opening more frfee schools, academies , UTCs and studio schools is vital to this.

“They are offering parents in the North-East more choice than ever before and allowing thousands more children the opportunity to go to a good local school that will give them the best start in life.”

Despite criticism of free schools the Government points out that 72 per cent of new free schools are in areas which are most in need of more school places while half of all free schools are in the 30 per cent most deprived places in England.