Despite strong criticism, the Church of England has defended its plan to run up to 100 more academies in the UK.

According to the National Secular Society, the move to create more academies run in conjunction with religious groups such as the Church of England was Tony Blair's final "self-indulgent gift to the religious establishment".

In response, the Rev David Whittington, Head of School Development for the Church of England, said such claims operate on a "completely false premise." He said running a school on a Christian ethos provided the firmest foundation for education.

"It believes that religion and education should be separate. It's our belief that only an educational experience with faith at its heart can offer the maximum development for individuals and the maximum potential for a cohesive integrated community."

The Church of England, which currently has five academies, will run the proposed schools under the Church of England Academies Services Ltd.

It is at present in 'conversation' with around 30 more schools and aims to develop 50 academies in deprived areas with a possible eventual total of 100 such schools.

"We have committed ourselves to providing good schools for the poorest," said Nick McKemey, the Church of England's school improvement officer.

"We're not looking for a short-term rise in exam results or for trophy schools, but for long-term improvement."

But in Oxford this week, campaigners were urging the diocese not to go ahead with a planned academy which would replace Peers Upper School.

Saying it was effectively privatising a public sector, the new-formed Oxford Anti-Academy Alliance spoke against the £30m plan to transform Peers School.