The proposal has been given the go ahead by Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Education, to progress to a detailed feasibility study.

The plan is for the new school's curriculum to have a specialism in Performing Arts and Visual Arts.

The academy is scheduled to open in September 2009 next to the existing school which will be demolished.

Sixth form

Initial ideas for the new school also include a variety of community facilities such as childcare, a health centre and gym.

The academy will be sponsored by the Oasis Trust, a Christian charity which delivers education, healthcare and housing initiatives in the UK and abroad.

It will be known as The Oasis Academy Hengrove and will cater for 11 to 18 year-olds, with provision for post-16s from Brislington Enterprise College and other schools in south Bristol.

"I am confident it will further improve educational standards in South Bristol," said the Schools Minister, Lord Andrew Adonis.

"Hengrove Community Arts College recognises the need to do further work to build an appropriate community site to suit the needs of students," said Stephen Murtagh, head teacher at Hengrove.

"Our last Ofsted report was very encouraging and we'll continue our work to drive standards forward as we move towards Academy status."