Lewisham reaches landmark in £210m Building Schools for the Future programme
17 December 2007
Contracts were signed in two local authorities – Lewisham and Knowsley – on the same day as the Building Schools for the Future projects in these areas reached Financial Close.
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of PfS, said: ‘It is quite remarkable to have two closes in a single day, and I congratulate all involved in both projects for reaching this milestone.’
Lewisham Council's Press Release:
Lewisham Council has reached a landmark in its multi-million pound programme to transform secondary education in the borough.
A brand new school will be built and eight of the borough’s existing secondary schools will be either rebuilt or refurbished as part of Lewisham’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. The scheme will also deliver significant ICT investment across all secondary schools in the borough.
The final sign-off of the contract today means that modernisation of the rest of Lewisham's schools has moved a huge step nearer.
Welcoming the news, Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, said: “This is a very exciting time for Lewisham. Our investment in education has already resulted in Lewisham having some of the most improved schools in London. This £210m modernisation programme will help them to go even further.
“We will see young people in the borough benefit from world class facilities in well designed, modern buildings equipped with the very latest ICT. Our schools will also become a key part of local areas by providing facilities for community use.
“We are looking forward to working with our partners to make one of the most ambitious BSF schemes in the country a reality for Lewisham’s young people.”
Learning21, a joint venture between VT Group and Costain Group PLC, was appointed as Lewisham Council’s partner for the multi-million pound programme.
Learning21 will join Lewisham Council and Partnership for Schools (via Building Schools for the Future investments) in a Local Education Partnership (LEP). The joint body will implement Lewisham’s Building Schools for the Future Programme and will run for at least 10 years.
Chairman of Learning 21, Will Wesson, said: "When we entered this market we were determined to work with local authorities who understood that BSF is not just about buildings, it’s about transforming education. We looked for successful authorities with strong leadership, who shared this vision, and Lewisham was our first choice. We are delighted to be their partners; but we are also acutely aware of our need to deliver by turning fine words of partnership into real transformation for the people of Lewisham."
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnership of Schools said: “Building Schools for the Future will transform education for the young people of Lewisham for decades to come, providing environments to inspire and engage students, improved work places for teachers and enhanced facilities for the benefit of the local community.
“Lewisham’s forward thinking and innovative approach to the opportunities BSF investment brings means that ICT provision will be enhanced in a number of schools beyond the BSF Programme. Indeed ICT has already been implemented at New Woodlands School and will be provided at Crofton, Forest Hill and Greenvale early next year.
“I congratulate all those involved in the Lewisham BSF project for reaching this important milestone, and look forward to charting its progress in the coming months.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Lewisham has already rebuilt Greenvale Special School and works are well advanced to rebuild Forest Hill and Crofton schools as part of the borough’s Grouped Schools PFI programme. Rebuilding work on Haberdashers' Aske's Knights, Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham and St Matthews are completed. The BSF programme covers the remaining secondary schools in the borough.
- Learning21 is a joint venture between construction specialists Costain Group PLC and education support services provider VT Group.
- Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. The aim is to rebuild or renew every one of England’s 3,500 state secondary schools during the 15-year lifetime of the programme.
- Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the delivery agency and national programme manager for Building Schools for the Future. PfS was established in April 2004 as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), and is operated and funded under a joint venture between DCFS and Partnerships UK.
- Learning21 were appointed contractor for the BSF programme after a five month evaluation process on the bids received from Learning21, Kajima and Bouygues.
- The Local Education Partnership (LEP) is a joint venture company for the delivery of the BSF programme, formed by a local authority, a private sector partner and Building Schools for the Future Investments.
- The £210m scheme will build a new school and rebuild or refurbish eight of the borough’s existing secondary schools and three SEN schools, as well as provide new ICT investment across all secondary schools.
- In Lewisham, Building Schools for the Future will deliver the following development of the borough’s mainstream schools:-
Addey and Stanhope refurbishment
Bonus Pastor full rebuild
Catford High full rebuild
Deptford Green full rebuild
Northbrook full rebuild
Prendergast refurbishment
Sedgehill full rebuild
Sydenham refurbishment
New School new build - Building Schools for the Future will also deliver significant investment into the Special Educational Needs provision at the following schools:-
Brent Knoll
Pendragon
Abbey Manor Pupil Referral Unit - Building Schools for the Future will also deliver investment to support the provision of ICT to New Woodlands, Crofton, Forest Hill, Greenvale and Crossways.
