Addington High and Westwood Language College have been saved from closure.

In a dramatic u-turn Croydon Council have announced both schools will not be shut down but will instead be refurbished and become London Challenge Trust schools.

Earlier this year the council labelled Addington High, Westwood Language College, Selsdon High and Haling Manor “failing schools” and said that they would be shut down and replaced with academies.

However a public outcry and a campaign by parents and pupils at Addington High, backed by Conservative MP for Croydon Central Andrew Pelling, forced the council to rethink their proposals.

After a public consultation it was decided the two schools would remain open.

Selsdon High and Haling Manor will be replaced with academies.

Councillor George Ayres, for New Addington, said: “This is a triumph for the people of New Addington and our pupils at Addington High along with staff must take the real credit for the dramatic improvements in exam results and value added at the School in the last few years.”

Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the Labour group, said: “‘Having always put the education needs of Croydon pupils first this must be good news, however, this total capitulation by Croydon Tories is long overdue. What we cannot tell is how much long term damage has already been done.”

The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative will see £350m investment in Croydon’s secondary schools over the next three years.

Three new academies will be established at Haling Manor, Selsdon High and Ashburton Community School and a consultation is due to take place next year on whether Archbishop Lanfranc will become an academy.

In addition, 11 schools will add sixth-forms and four mainstream schools - including Archbishop Tenison’s and Norbury Manor Business School - will be rebuilt and refurbished.

Beckmead School will be rebuilt to offer state-of-the art facilities for pupils with special educational needs.

Councillor Maria Gatland, cabinet member for children’s services and adult learning, said: “When the process of transformation is complete, Croydon’s schools will be as good as the best in the country - and will allow us to provide all learners with a world class education service.

“We have the highest aspirations for our children and young people.

“The borough’s best schools will be expanded, improving schools will be further supported to help them accelerate progress, and underperforming schools will be transformed.

“Most schools will be upgraded to provide sixth-forms that will offer a full range of academic and vocational qualifications.”