SIX MORE COUNCILS JOIN SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

10 March 2010

The six projects are Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Gateshead, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire and Sutton. Each of these will embark on their BSF schemes by summer 2010.

The authorities were confirmed following a rigorous selection process in which they demonstrated they were ready to hit the ground running with their projects to rebuild or refurbish secondary schools across these areas. It means the six can start now planning in detail to fast-track their most urgent building projects or deprived areas, far earlier than originally planned - with capital investment released from 2012/13.

Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, said: "With over 130,000 pupils and 12,000 teachers already benefitting from BSF investment the length and breadth of the country, today's announcement will ensure that even more young people and staff are given the schools that they deserve over the coming years.

"As well as delivering the new schools and facilities that local communities need, BSF is also welcome news for local employment, supporting tens of thousands of jobs on the ground in the construction and related industries.

"For the last three years BSF has met or exceeded all key delivery targets, and we are now seeing a convergence of perception and reality - with around 90 per cent of all local authorities and private sector companies involved in BSF agreeing that the programme is now delivering.

"With over two thirds of all local authorities engaged in the BSF, we look forward to working with this latest cohort of local authorities to help deliver schools fit for the 21st century, and to ensure that taxpayers get maximum value from every education pound spent."

Five of the six areas announced are new to BSF, with Gateshead a repeat local authority which is working alongside South Tyneside to regenerate schools across the two areas. Two BSF schools are already open in South Tyneside, a further seven in construction or design (two of which are in Gateshead), plus the delivery of the BSF ICT Managed Service to improve access to technology in three additional schools.