Balfour Beatty secures first Building Schools for the Future contract

Balfour Beatty's Transform Schools division has won its first Building Schools for the Future contract after being named preferred bidder for Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council's £157m scheme.

Work involves the provision of seven state-of-the-art learning centres, which will replace all of Knowsley's existing secondary schools over a three-year period. Construction and building services will be handled by Balfour Beatty Construction and Balfour Kilpatrick, while Haden Building Management will handle the FM. The concession is for 25 years.

Transform will work with the council to develop a long-term "educational vision through researching and evaluating progressive learning environments and teaching models in the UK and internationally". Transform may also work with the council to set up a not-for-profit company to manage the extended use of facilities and an employment and training hub to maximise local employment.

Financial close is expected in spring 2007.

Balfour beat a shortlist of Keystage Solutions (Alfred McAlpine and Shepherd) and Spirel (Amec).