Eton College will open selective no-fee sixth form centers in three cities in England.
Dudley, Middlesbrough and Oldham were selected by the public school working with Star Academies on the programme.
The partners said they will participate in the government’s forthcoming round of free schools schemes over the next few months.
The colleges would accept 240 students annually and could open by 2025.
The focus will be on accommodating large numbers of students with free school meals from disadvantaged zip codes or those who would be the first in their families to go to university, the partners said.
Eton said it would also help students with the university application process, prepare for job interviews and invite them to summer residency programs at Eton.
The three cities were selected as areas with the greatest need for a college to “promote high-performing young people,” according to the partnership.
They added that the colleges’ small size would aim for “a very special academic education” and claimed they would not disrupt existing local education after 16 years.
Final decisions on locations have yet to be made, but Eton College and Star Academies said they were in talks with local authorities.
The boys’ public school near Windsor, Berkshire, charges fees of more than £44,000 a year and said it would give colleges an ongoing funding commitment “on-going”.
Star Academies is a non-profit academy with dozens of primary and secondary schools across England.
Politicians in all three cities welcomed the announcement, including Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley, who said it would give students “an accelerator to the top universities”.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “Eton College in Middlesbrough. To have the support and endorsement of the most famous school in the world is incredible – a phenomenal result.”
Councilor Arooj Shah, Chair of Oldham Council, added: “My first and foremost responsibility is to fight for Oldham and enlist support and investment from every corner. I will work across political and ideological divides to achieve this.”
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