Building Schools for Future on Target

Ambitious plans to totally rebuild or refurbish the majority of Sheffield’s secondary schools is nearing completion following the signing up of one of the last remaining schools within the programme.

Birley Community College is one of the last contracts under the current Building Schools for the Future programme.

Last month the school formally signed up with Sheffield’s LEP (Local Education Partnership) which includes Sheffield City Council and VINCI Construction UK.

The £18m project, which will be phased over the next two years, will involve the construction of a brand new two to three storey school.

Although the former school will be demolished to make way for this ambitious overhaul, some existing buildings will be retained and refurbished as part of the project.

This will make way for extensive external works including new sports pitches and facilities on the site of the former school and the creation of a new access road from Birley Lane.

Acting Headteacher Sheelagh Woodcock said: “I am delighted to have signed up to this deal. Our school has long been in need of an overhaul. A brand new school will improve the student’s learning environment enormously and I am very grateful this work is going ahead. I can’t wait to see the finished results!”

Cllr Jackie Drayton, Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families said: “The BSF scheme is a scheme that we have always been fully committed to. We started the ball rolling getting BSF off the ground here in Sheffield the last time we were in power.

“So it gives me great joy to see the scheme is very much still on contract and those Sheffield children are getting the schools they deserve.”

Keith Shivers, Regional Director of VINCI Construction UK said: “VINCI Construction has been instrumental in driving forward this highly ambitious project for Sheffield.

“Birley Community College is the latest in a long line of schools in the city which we have helped to rebuild. Our local children and young people deserve a great building to study in and it makes me very proud to know that our company has been at the forefront on helping to achieve this aim.”

Published: 13/06/2011