July 2012
Refurbishment of city school underway
REFURBISHMENT has begun at the latest school to benefit from the ‘Building Schools for the Future’ Programme (BSF).
Children’s Hospital School at Willow Bank, based in Simmins Crescent, will undergo full refurbishment of the building and new ICT systems.
The project, part of the BSF programme, will cost £2m and will be complete by February 2013.
Councillor Vi Dempster, Assistant City Mayor responsible for children, young people and schools, said: "I am delighted that work has started on site at the school.
"The BSF programme is becoming more and more exciting as each new school enters into the construction phase of their project. This can only be good news, not only for the current and future students at these schools but also for the city as a whole, as the programme brings new employment opportunities."
Rachel Dickinson, Leicester City Council’s strategic director for children, added: “I would like to thank everyone involved for working incredibly hard to get us to this stage, where building work can start and we can deliver the next school in our extensive BSF programme.
"I know that the head teacher is very much looking forward to the improvements in the school."
George Sfougaras, head teacher at the school, said: “With work now beginning, I can think of no better place to be, and no job more exciting than mine.
"Of course the main reason for this initiative is the well-being of our pupils and the benefits they will reap, in terms of having a building which is safe, modern, efficient, and a pleasure to study in.
"I would like to thank our governors, pupils and parents, teachers, and all of our staff for all their hard work which has culminated in us being ready for this moment.
"I would also like to say a special thank you to our senior leadership team for their support, vision and perseverance.
"All through the design process, we have been supported by an excellent BSF team and enjoyed the working relationships with the various providers and contractors, all of whom have engaged with us, so positively, to make our vision a reality."
Miller Construction, the construction partner of the Leicester BSF Programme, commenced works earlier this week (Monday 16th July).
The school is the eighth to be delivered as part of the BSF Programme.
Chris Webster, chief executive of Miller Construction, said: “We are delighted to have commenced works on the school and kick-started phase three of the Leicester BSF Programme.
"We established a successful partnership with Leicester City Council during the delivery of the first phase and through our continued work on the second phase.
“We are currently on site with three schools in the second phase, Rushey Mead Secondary School, Crown Hills Community College and City of Leicester College, and look forward to delivering phase three.
"We are confident that by continuing close collaboration with Leicester City Council, the learning environments delivered will more than meet 21st Century education demands.”
Chance to comment on plans for Ash Field Academy
PEOPLE will be able to give their views on plans for a new school at a public meeting next week.
Ash Field Academy, in Broad Avenue, Evington, is a combination of remodelling, refurbishment and a partial new build as part of Leicester City Council's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.
As part of that, the city council wants to hear the views of the local community, and is holding an open event at the academy so people can see the plans and discuss the proposals with the project development team.
The drop in event is being held at the academy on Tuesday, July 24, between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
There will also be a presentation about the proposals and large copies of the plans, which will include 3D images. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer any questions people may have.
The plans are also available to view on the city council's BSF pages, at www.leicester.gov.uk/bsf from July 23.
Leicester Assistant City Mayor responsible for children, schools and young people, Councillor Vi Dempster, said: "I would encourage all interested members of the community to go along to this drop in Event as this will give them a real opportunity to see what is being proposed and how their community will benefit from the new facilities."
New schools plans revealed
PLANS to revamp two neighbouring schools are due to be revealed.
As part of Leicester City Council's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project, plans are due to be submitted for Sir Jonathan North Community College and The Lancaster School, showing a combination of remodelling, refurbishment and new buildings for the two sites.
Letters are being sent out to people living near the two schools in Knighton, inviting them to view the plans and artists' impressions, which are available both at the BSF website, on www.leicester.gov.uk/bsf, and at the city council offices at 16 New Walk.
The plans will be available to view from July 23.
An open event will take place at the offices in 16 New Walk, on Thursday, July 26, from 2pm to 4pm, where visitors can discuss the projects and find out more information.
People wanting to comment on the plans can also do so by contacting the BSF project's phase manager, Peter Burditt, at Peter.Burditt@lmed.co.uk, or call him on 0116 252 8017.
Leicester Assistant City Mayor responsible for children, young people and schools, Councillor Vi Dempster, said: "I would encourage all interested members of the community to either have a look at the website or, if they cannot get to 16 New Walk, to contact the Leicester Miller Education Company’s phase manager to ask for further details.
"These plans will give them a real opportunity to see what is being proposed and how their community will benefit from the new facilities."
June 2012
Public invited to view Millgate School plans
PEOPLE will be able to give their views on plans for Millgate School at a public meeting next week.
The school is being partially rebuilt and refurbished as part of Leicester City Council's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.
An open evening is being held at Millgate School, in Knighton Fields, on Tuesday (Jun 26) from 5pm to 7pm.
People will be able to view the plans for the school, and discuss the proposal directly with school staff and members of the project development team. Large scale plans and a 3D model of how the refurbished school will look will be displayed.
Cllr Vi Dempster, Assistant City mayor responsible for children, young people and schools, said: "The plans for Millgate are very exciting and I would encourage anyone interested to come along to the open evening to find out more.
"It will give people the chance to see in detail what is being proposed and how the community will benefit from the new facilities."
The plans will also be available to view online at www.leicester.gov.uk/bsf from Monday (Jun 25).
May 2012
Chance to comment on plans for new school
PEOPLE will be able to give their views on plans for a new school at a public meeting next week.
A new school is due to be built at Keyham Lodge School, in Hamilton, as part of Leicester City Council's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.
As part of that, the city council wants to hear the views of the local community, and is holding an open evening at the school site, in Keyham Lane, so people can see the plans and discuss the proposals with the school's development team.
The open evening takes place on Tuesday, May 8, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. It will include a rolling presentation of the proposals and large copies of the plans, as well as a 3-D model. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions.
Leicester assistant city mayor responsible for children, young people and schools, Councillor Vi Dempster, said: "I would encourage all interested members of the community to go along to the open evening, which will give them a real opportunity to see what is being proposed and how their community will benefit from the new facilities."
The plans are also available from May 8th on the city council’s BSF pages, at: www.leicester.gov.uk/bsf
April 2012
City of Leicester and Crown Hills Community Colleges get ready for the Builders!
Financial Close on the PFI project which is funding two new buildings for Crown Hills and City of Leicester schools has been achieved. Leicester City Council and their private sector partners LMEC signed the agreement with Aviva on 30th March 2012.
With a joint cost of £47.5m both schools are being rebuilt and are scheduled for completion in October 2013. Crown Hills will cost £21.7million, with City of Leicester costing £25.8million.
Councillor Vi Dempster, Assistant City Mayor, said: "I am delighted that Financial Close has been reached. Rushey Mead will be ready to hand over later this year and with these next two schools starting construction this means that we are now on course to be the most accelerated BSF programme in the country.
This can only be good news, not only for the current and future students at these schools but also for the city as a whole, as the programme brings new employment opportunities."
Leicester City Council’s Strategic Director, Children, Rachel Dickinson agreed: “Everyone has worked incredibly hard to get us to this stage where building work can start and we can deliver the next 2 schools in our extensive BSF programme, and I would like to thank the Council’s team and partners for all their hard work meeting the challenge of closing the two PFIs in such challenging financial circumstances, they have done a great job for the schools and for Leicester.”
“This investment is set to dramatically improve the educational landscape in the City for ever. The Head Teachers at both schools have been extremely supportive and I know they are looking forward to seeing work begin and their new schools open in Autumn 2013.”
"Next year we will be looking at a further 15 projects coming on line within a 12-month timeframe and I know that the council team and our delivery partners are working hard to make sure that we hit every deadline."
Bernie Green, Principal at Crown Hills said “We are delighted that we have finally reached Financial Close and are grateful to all parties for getting us to this stage. We have waited such a long time for the building to start. It will be hugely beneficial to the students, staff and local community and will help us to do even more than we are currently doing to raise standards for young people in the area.
Anne Gregory, Head Teacher of The City of Leicester College, agreed “We are delighted and excited to have reached Financial Close, meaning work will start in the next few weeks. The new build will provide a physical learning environment which will match the ethos and expectations of our staff and students - bringing greater happiness, ambition and enabling us to make even more of a difference to our young people and the community. The single site new build will support our continued improvement over the last few years. We simply cannot wait!
Miller Construction Ltd confirmed that they are preparing to start work on the two sites at the beginning of April. Chris Webster, Chief Executive of Miller Construction said: “It has been a challenge to get these projects over the line in what is currently a very difficult economic environment. It is testament to the strength of the partnership between Leicester City Council and LMEC that we have been able to achieve this. I am delighted we have reached Financial Close on both of these projects and can now focus on further strengthening our partnership with Leicester City Council and ensure the successful delivery of these two schools.”
Older News
News from 2011
January 2010
Beaumont Leys hosts national Building Schools for the Future open day- press release from the PfS website
News from 2009
