The businessman behind Bushey Hall School's proposed transformation into an academy has promised students “the best school in the area” and a multi million pound rebuild for the historic London Road site.

Following last week's announcement that 241 children allocated the school and future academy did not choose it, the main sponsor of the Bushey Academy, David Meller, said he aimed to create a “forward thinking, positive spirit” and reverse the reluctant admissions situation.

Mr Meller, former vice chairman of Watford Football Club and the main sponsor of the sports specialising Harefield Academy, showed little interest in Bushey Hall's 80-year-old buildings, instead concentrating on improving education and “ethos”.

He said: “My main interest is only 20 people applied to come here. I want it to be full. At Harefield for 120 places we have 210 applicants for first choice and another 300 for the second choice. That's more interesting to me than the buildings.

“We want to build the best school in the area with the best facilities. That's the most important thing for me.”

Depending on the outcome of a public consultation, Bushey Hall School is set to close in the summer, reopening as the independent Bushey Academy in September. The academy aims to offer 1050 places for students aged 11 to 16 and 300 for those aged 16 to 19.

Work is currently under way to develop a curriculum specialising in business and communication and recruit staff including a principal.

Nigel Hurst of Capita Symonds, the firm overseeing the project for the Department for Children, Schools and Families confirmed current Bushey Hall headteacher, Graham Yapp, could apply for the principal position but would face the same selection process by the sponsors as other applicants.

After Bushey Hall School was given Special Measures status by Ofsted inspectors last year, Sir John Lawes School in Harpenden, which has an “Outstanding” rating, was paired with the school to help it improve.

The Harpenden school has since been named the co-sponsor of the Academy, a move Sir John Lawes' headteacher Claire Robins said was good news for both schools.

She said: “This is the first [Academy sponsorship] we've ever done and it's really exciting as it's quite a good development opportunity for us as well.

“The benefit to our students is that teachers at Sir John Lawes are sent out to work in a different school in a different context where they can reflect on their own practice.

"That brings them back into Sir John Lawes as better teachers as they've had an opportunity to find out what really works what is successful. It will also allow us to benefit from some development opportunities.”

She said Sir John Lawes' specialisms in teacher training, media and science and the academy's business and communications specialism will let students at the Bushey Academy benefit from five specialisms.

Mr Meller said facilities will also be shared between the Harefield and Bushey academies. He added that developments including a marketplace, theatre and “state-of-the-art” classrooms were planned within the next three years.

The consultation process for the proposed Bushey Academy is continuing, with a public meeting scheduled to take place after Easter.