Project: Stoke Schools PFI

Client: City of Stoke-on-Trent Council

Value: £92.0m

Contract: PFI

Duration: 224 weeks

Awards:

2004 – Public Private Finance Awards – Best Operational Partnership and Best Operational Education Project

2002 – Public Private Finance Awards – Best Operational Project

This extensive new build and refurbishment programme sought to enhance education provision throughout the city and ensure creation of a truly 21st century learning environment within Stoke-on-Trent.

The end result is impressive - a greatly enhanced school stock that provides maintained education across the whole of Stoke. Savings were made in many areas as a result of the partnering culture Balfour Beatty instils in its teams and amongst all project stakeholders.

The project has been so successful that it has been recognised by the Public Private Finance Awards 2004, winning Best Operational Partnership in all sectors and Best Operational Educational Project. Furthermore, Balfour Beatty was also awarded a Gold Medal by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) - testament to its hard work in reducing injuries by enforcing strict safety measures.

Neil Rigby, Director of Education Stoke-on-Trent said: “The new school exceeds my wildest imagination. Without the Private Finance Initiative the children and staff could not have dreamt of such facilities, which will certainly have a positive effect on attainment and aspirations of the children. Balfour Beatty's expertise in handling both the finance, design and construction of PFI projects not only reassured us throughout the project but also meant that Stoke's schools are cutting edge learning facilities.”

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