FENLAND SCHOOLS REFURBISHMENT GIVEN GOVERNMENT APPROVAL

Approval has been given at the highest level for a £93 million plan to improve schools in the Fenland area.
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has given the go-ahead for the planning of the next stage of the Fenland Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project in Cambridgeshire.

This project will see significant improvements to six of Fenland’s schools - Cromwell Community College, Neale-Wade Community College, the Queen’s School, Sir Harry Smith Community College, Meadowgate Special School and Fenland Junction Pupil Referral Unit.

The national BSF project will see all 3500 secondary schools in England rebuilt or substantially remodelled over a 15-year period at a total cost of around £45 billion.

Schools in Fenland will be among the first in Cambridgeshire to benefit, although schools across the rest of the county will be included in future ‘waves’ over the next 10 years. About £93 million is available for Fenland - £84.8m for construction and £8.2m for ICT.

In a letter to Cambridgeshire County Council’s Chief Executive Ian Stewart, BSF Local Authority Liaison Manager John Allcock praised Cambridgeshire’s submission. He said: “Cambridgeshire is seen as making good progress across all policy areas, with a strong and clear commitment to radical improvement in schools’ provision and education outcomes.

“There is good cross-party political support for the BSF programme, as well as robust project management and estate plans,” he continued.

This approval from Government means that Cambridgeshire can now start work with schools on Part 2 of the BSF Strategy for Change, which will outline the detail and delivery of the project.
ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Contact Cambridgeshire County Council BSF project manager Kevin Manley on 01223 717902.

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