New term sees 125,000 pupils benefiting from BSF investment nationwide

Thirteen more schools from Knowsley in the north to Southwark in the south will open in new or refurbished learning environments in January 2010 as part of the national Building Schools for the Future and Academies programmes. This brings the total number of pupils to benefit from BSF investment to around 125,000 in 146 schools across England.

Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools – the organisation responsible for the delivery of all schools capital programmes, including BSF, Academies and the Primary Capital Programme – said: “While snow and ice may have delayed the start of term for many young people across the country, many more are now returning at the start of 2010 to brand new learning environments, 21st century facilities and state-of-the-art ICT that will help them achieve their very best.

"The latest cohort of openings includes the first BSF-funded schools for Torbay in Devon (Torquay Community College) and the London Borough of Southwark (Walworth Academy), and also the final two schools to be completed in Knowsley which has seen its entire secondary schools estate rebuilt.

"As this month’s school openings demonstrate, BSF is now changing the face of education up and down the country for well over 100,000 pupils and thousands of teachers. Schools are once again sitting at the heart of the communities they serve and reaching out to local people.

"With 18 BSF projects joining the programme in the current financial year to date, and more schools opening throughout 2010, this sense of momentum is testament to the resolute focus and determination of all parties involved in the programme to deliver truly inspiring environments in which every young person is given the opportunity to fulfil their potential and have the start they deserve."

The schools opening in new or refurbished buildings, or with new BSF ICT, in January 2010 are:

The Community College Whitstable, Kent
St Edmunds Arrowsmith Centre for Learning, Knowsley
All Saints Centre for Learning, Knowsley
Dane Court School, Kent
Torquay Community College, Torbay
Walthamstow School for Girls, Waltham Forest
Highbury Grove (plus new Sixth Form), Islington
Holloway School, Islington
Walworth Academy, Southwark
Mossbourne Academy, Hackney
Highgate Wood Secondary School, Haringey
City of Leeds School, Leeds
Primrose High School, Leeds

At the end of November 2009, 12 more BSF projects were given the green light to rebuild or refurbish schools in their area – including 10 local authorities new to the BSF programme. This means that 18 more projects were prioritised during the current financial year, with more local authorities expected to join in spring 2010.

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