Textbook integration

Local education authorities, across the UK, face the challenge of creating appropriate learning environment’s for the 21st century, making use of a range of financing and delivery options. Balfour Beatty’s established capability in financing, planning, construction and maintenance led to its selection as the London Borough of Islington’s long-term partner.

The UK Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative is the largest schools capital investment programme for over 50 years.

Keen to ensure maximum value for its investment, the Government has established a new form of Public Private Partnership (PPP), known as a Local Educational Partnership (LEP), which will deliver the BSF programme. An LEP is a partnership between the local authority, Partnership for Schools and a private concession company.

In phase one of the Islington project, Balfour Beatty has won its first BSF contract under the new LEP model. The contract builds on the Group’s well-established credentials and extensive experience in PPP within the UK education sector. The project aims to deliver first-class learning facilities to give every child the best possible opportunity to succeed.

Transforming education in Islington
The Group’s input in Islington is headed by specialist education concession company, Transform Schools – part of Balfour Beatty Capital. The £150m project is to refurbish or rebuild eight secondary schools, along with the secondary department of a special educational needs school and a pupil referral unit, over the next five years and then maintain them for a period of 25 years.

Balfour Beatty is responsible for construction, mechanical and electrical services and facilities management. Information and communications technology (ICT) will be provided by RM Education, the Group’s ICT partner.

The project requires a high degree of integration and a seamless service. The Balfour Beatty companies involved have long-established working relationships and a set of protocols which support the process from design to handover. For the client, this means faster decision-making, a smoother process and, ultimately, a more cohesive and cost-effective total service.

For example, the Balfour Beatty Construction design team and Balfour Kilpatrick consulted with RM Education to make sure that ICT is fully integrated into every stage of the design and build process.