Two for PFI school

by Brian Warner

Two rivals are left on the register for an £85m privately financed education deal in Sheffield.

It is understood that Focus Education (Bovis Lend Lease) and a King Sturge/Ballast Construction joint venture have answered the city council's roll-call and will now work up best and final offers to rebuild two crumbling secondary schools.

The client has now excluded bids from two other contestants - Pyramid (headed by Interserve) and Norwest Holst.

The council is expected to reveal its preferred bidder during September 2002, with financial close due at the beginning of 2003.

Construction costs for the new schools are estimated at £26m, with the winning group maintaining and operating the schools for 25 years.

A start on site will be made early next year, with the schools due to open for the first intake of students in September 2004.

The scheme centres on rebuilding the King Ecgbert and Hinde House schools, both of which are described as being in "appalling condition", with leaking flat roofs, rotting timber and corrugated walkways.

The new schools will have playing fields and accommodate 1,160 and 900 students respectively.

l The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is inviting bids for a £35m secondary schools PFI project. It involves the construction of a new school at Barking Reach, which will form the centrepiece of a new community.

It will provide community-based shared facilities, including sports, performing arts, catering, cr'che and library facilities. In addition, Eastbury Comprehensive School will be redeveloped on to a single site.