Plans for a business-focused free school in Bradford have been given a boost after winning backing from a body which operates schools and offers expertise in the field.

The Future Directors Academy, an 11-16 free school planning to open in Bradford in September, 2014, is being supported by the Academies Enterprise Trust.

Gerard Liston, project co-ordinator for the FD Academy, said AET was one of the most respected and fastest-growing national multi-academy sponsors.

The Trust will work with the project team, including providing a bid writer, to help get the new Bradford venture off the ground.

The aim is to offer parents a new school that works closely with employers to help motivate students and develop their aspirations. The school has already attracted the backing of the regional Institute of Directors.

An open evening to outline the plans to potential parents and students is being held on Thursday at the Gumption Centre in Glydegate, Bradford, where a senior AET representative will join IoD regional director Kenton Robbins and other members of the school team. It aims to share the vision for the new school and answer questions from parents and other interested people.

Mr Liston said: “Finding the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions parents have to make.

“Given the recent national publicity about free schools, many parents will be cautious about choosing a school that does not exist at the moment.

“Not only are we offering something different but, with the backing of AET, we can now offer peace of mind too. We would encourage Bradford parents – particularly those with children starting secondary school in 2014 and 2015 – to come to our open evening on Thursday so they can make the right choice for their child.

“Getting the support of AET is a major boost for our plans. Together with the backing of the IoD, it gives our proposals real credibility I’m delighted about this development which will help us take our plans forward and is another step towards seeing a the new academy come to fruition.”

Mr Liston, a former head of enterprise and employability at Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College, said the project team was aiming to submit plans for the Future Directors Academy, which will cater for around 600 students, in the near future.

He said: “The Academy will be totally inclusive and open to all. The main criteria is that pupils and parents are committed to realising skills and aptitude that can be transferred into the world of work and enterprise at a later date.”

Mr Robbins said: “The middle of a recession is the right time to model how schools can motivate students and for employers to get involved in bringing learning to life.”