Plans for a business-focused free school in Bradford – eventually providing places for 600 students – will be submitted to ministers later this year.

Backers are not deterred by the recent failure of the One in a Million free school at Valley Parade to open this year and are set to submit proposals to the Department for Education in December with a view to opening in September 2014.

A website for parents to register their interest has been set up.

The idea is to create an education centre dedicated to equipping youngsters for the world of work and nurturing potential future bosses.

The man behind the idea, Gerard Liston, head of enterprise and employability at Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College , has won backing of business bosses. He is looking to establish the new school in a city centre block, but a location is to be finalised.

The Future Directors’ Academy is backed by the Yorkshire Institute of Directors. The aim is to ultimately provide places for 600 students and Mr Liston hopes that, if successful, it would provide a model for similar schools elsewhere.

Mr Liston, who will leave his post to become an education consultant, urged parents who share his vision to register at futuredirectors.org.uk.

“If parents want it, it will happen and if not, it won’t,” 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.”

Kenton Robbins, IoD regional director, 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.”