A school merger or the creation of an academy are in the pipeline for Banbury.

Oxfordshire County Council is joining forces with the Learning and Skills Council to consider proposals for the schooling of youngsters aged 14-19.

If plans are approved, Drayton School will be merged with Oxford and Cherwell College or amalgamated into a "City Academy".

Public consultation will be undertaken before a final decision is taken. The county council's executive has instructed education officers to look at costs and possible sources of funding.

Members of the executive believe the development of joint provision on the Drayton School site with the college would result in an increase in the range of vocational training, encouraging young people to see education and work-based learning as a "positive choice" through to the age of 19. Establishing Drayton School as a City Academy would lead to the creation of a state-of-the-art secondary school.

Tony Crabbe, the county's executive member for schools, said: "We are keen to explore these highly innovative fresh proposals.

"Under both options, Drayton School would remain, although its role would develop in line with plans for the town as a whole.

"We want to build on the existing strengths of the secondary schools in the town.

"We are determined that Banbury should be in the vanguard of educational changes taking place to raise standards and introduce more vocational training. We also want to make sure the town gets its fair share of funding available nationally."

The executive was told that there are already examples of city Academies around the country and the Government was encouraging more. City Academies draw funding from the Government and other sponsors.

Previously considered options, such as keeping the status quo, the closure of Drayton School or a merger between Drayton and other local schools were rejected by the county council in October 2003.