Following the demise of Building Schools for the Future programme in July 2010, the Department for Education launched a new privately financed programme to provide school facilities in July 2011. The Priority School Building Programme is intended to address those schools in the worst condition. The allocated funding will be £2bn over 5 years for new schools and maintenance.  Applications for funding may be made by LEAs, academy trusts, school governing bodies or sponsoring dioceses. The application window opens on 3 October 2011 and applicants will be informed of the outcome by end of December 2011.

Ministers have said they will take into account pressing cases of basic need (the requirement for additional school places) and other ministerial priorities. The programme is likely to include a mix of primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, sixth form colleges and alternative provision, which may be ‘batched’ into regional procurements. The precise form of the procurement process and model contracts are under development by Partnerships for Schools and its successor the Education Funding Agency at present.  With our extensive experience of PFI and PPP projects for schools, TPP Law is ideally placed to assist LEAs, schools and service providers in taking forward projects under this procurement route. If you would like further information or a no obligation discussion contact Mark Johnson or Peter Hill.

Click here to download our free Priority School Building Programme Factsheet.