Barnsley MBC selects Laing O’Rourke and Civica consortium to deliver £1.1billion BSF Programme
Civica drives ICT provision in preferred bid for town’s BSF programme; unique ICT-based Advanced Learning Centres to transform learning opportunities
16 February 2009, Barnsley, UK – Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC) has appointed the Barnsley Partnership for Learning, a consortium led by Laing O’Rourke, as preferred partner for its £1.1 billion Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Civica, a market leader in software-based solutions that help organisations to improve service delivery and efficiency, will deliver the programme’s ICT elements as an integrated, managed service, worth an estimated £22 million.
The Barnsley BSF programme is being developed in conjunction with Government agency Partnerships for Schools (PfS) and scheduled for completion in 2012.
Barnsley’s schools transformation is unique in Britain’s BSF programme because it will replace all its secondary schools with Advanced Learning Centres and rebuild/refurbish its two special schools, all featuring integrated 21st century managed learning environments supported by Civica’s ICT managed service.
The resulting combination of virtual and physical study infrastructure encompasses the schools and colleges’ social areas as well as classrooms and libraries, providing Barnsley’s schoolchildren and adults alike with access to the new learning environments.
Barnsley’s BSF programme elements will enable BMBC to:
- replace all of its 13 secondary schools with nine completely new build Advanced Learning Centres (ALCs)
- complete replacement/refurbishment of its two special schools
- deliver cutting edge design and ICT solutions in three phases by Civica
The Barnsley BSF programme – inspired by the Government’s vision of inspirational learning in new school buildings, equipment and services nation-wide – aims to bring about a step change in education and adult learning provision in the town.
Working with Barnsley Council, the Barnsley Partnership for Learning consortium and PfS, Civica has designed and developed ICT learning and teaching environments to simplify access to, and delivery of, the National Curriculum for schools and adult education.
Stephen Beechey of Barnsley Partnership for Learning, said: "This programme is at the heart of regenerating Barnsley's communities. We are extremely excited to be a preferred bidder in delivering this life changing commitment.”
Cllr Burgess, Spokesperson for Children, Young People and Families at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, said: “This is an extremely exciting time for our schools and community. We are delighted to be working with Barnsley Partnership for Learning as we begin to develop what will be fantastic teaching and learning facilities and resources.”
Simon Downing, Civica, chief executive, said: “The Barnsley Partnership for Learning design is innovative in being based on fully managed ICT-based learning platforms across all the schools and adult learning facilities, before the physical refurbishment of the buildings, social facilities and circulation areas are completed. This approach will help to transform opportunities for local people and students.”
About Building Schools for the Future
BSF is the Government’s national schools investment programme, managed by Partnerships for Schools (PfS) on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF, formerly the Department for Education and Skills). BSF is designed to transform education through improving all of England’s secondary school buildings and facilities over the next 10 to 15 years (subject to future public spending decisions).