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Nabarro advises on £1billion education programme
14 July 2009
Law firm Nabarro has advised Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council on a £1billion-plus scheme aimed at its transforming secondary and special education provision.
Work is ready to begin on first phase of the scheme; comprising three Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funded schools and two design and build schools. These schools are due to open in 2011.
The Nabarro team was led by Sheffield projects partner Mark Rocca, assisted by Kuldip Dhanoya and Jessica Gray. The team was supported by other members of the Sheffield projects team and by employment, pensions and corporate specialists across both the London and Sheffield offices.
"We are delighted to have worked with Barnsley on this major programme and are pleased to see the scheme be so successfully completed,” said Rocca.
The scheme will see Barnsley replace all its 13 secondary schools with nine completely new Advanced Learning Centres (ALCs). It will also replace one of its two special schools, along with half of its other special school, with the remainder being brought up to modern standards. Each new ALC will cost between £25 million and £30 million.
Construction work at the sites will start immediately. The newly-created Barnsley Local Education Partnership Limited (the LEP) will manage the delivery of the scheme. The LEP is a specially-created joint venture company comprising the council, Building Schools for the Future Investments LLP and private sector partner Barnsley Partnership for Learning Limited.
Edna Sutton, Executive Director for Children, Young People and Families commented that the scheme represented a bold educational vision. She said, "Our BSF programme is totally transformational and will bring fantastic benefits for everyone in Barnsley for generations to come."
Nabarro worked alongside the council's technical advisers, Gleeds, and financial advisers, Deloittes, to deliver the scheme.
If you would like any further information or have any queries please contact:
Charlotte Collins-White
Lanson Communications
T +44 (0)207 5669706
charlottecw@lansons.com
or
Mark Rocca
Partner, Nabarro LLP
T +44 (0)114 279 4259
m.rocca@nabarro.com
