£150 million BSF scheme to enhance St Helens’ education facilities - 06 Oct 2008
UK Top 50 law firm, Dickinson Dees LLP, has been appointed to advise St. Helens Council on a major new Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme.
The £150 million Wave 5 project to create 21st century Learning Campuses will deliver a better future for young people, encouraging more educational achievement and better motivation for students in a high quality learning environment. The aim is to improve education facilities, benefiting both teachers and students, with the latest technology and learning resources.
Plans include the rebuilding/remodelling of seven High Schools, one of which is on site ahead of the main programme, and a £30 million new build Academy catering for approximately 1,100 young people in total.
The programme includes two £5 million purpose built specialist units for young people with complex needs at Mill Green Learning Campus and Penkford.
Dickinson Dees has now been appointed to BSF schemes worth over £1 billion across the UK. The North East-based law firm is a key advisor to the public sector in North West England, with procurement appointments completed or ongoing for a number of NHS PFI projects.
The 20-strong team at Dickinson Dees, led by partner and BSF expert Kevin Robertson, was appointed at an early stage in the procurement process, which enables the firm to play an intrinsic part in helping the council during the strategic decision making procedure. The team’s in-depth expertise includes specialists in projects, banking, and construction and engineering.
“The inclusion of a complex needs school in this project is an unusual element to a BSF scheme,” said Kevin Robertson, partner, Dickinson Dees. “St Helens Council has put together an excellent scheme to deliver substantial education provisions for years to come. Local children will soon have access to state-of-the-art facilities which will also serve to support the ongoing regeneration and modernisation of St Helens.”
“Dickinson Dees’ previous BSF experience was fundamental to its appointment,” said Mike Foy, BSF Project Director, at St. Helens Council. “The team’s in-depth experience in the BSF project arena will give us the knowledge and understanding to enable a smooth procurement process. Officers are now working hard to deliver one of the most ambitious and exciting projects the Borough will ever see.”