Funding for a new academy has been agreed after the Government won a landmark legal battle over how it appoints sponsors. The funding agreement for Furness Academy, Barrow-in-Furness, had been postponed after it was claimed that the way academy sponsors are chosen breaks European procurement and competition laws. The case against the Government was launched by campaigners opposed to an academy in Camden, north London. It was turned down by the High Court earlier this year and by the Court of Appeal last week. In light of the verdict, Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, has approved funding for Furness Academy to open in September. It will merge Thorncliffe, Alfred Barrow and Parkview schools on two sites.