Two firms race to win schools deal

THE race is on to scoop the multi-million-pound deal to transform Oldham’s crumbling secondary schools.

Balfour Beatty Education and Equity Solutions BSF Ltd are competing for the contract to build the new Roman Catholic High school and the replacement for Saddleworth School.

The chosen bidder would then manage both schools for 25 years in a Private Finance Initiative agreement.

The £170 million deal also includes extensive rebuilding and refurbishment work at Blue Coat, Crompton House, Hathershaw, Royton and Crompton, North Chadderton and New Bridge schools.

It is part of Oldham’s £266 million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme to transform secondary education.

But it does not include the contract to build three new academies which will be awarded under a separate process.

Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “We are delighted to have received two strong bids.

“Ultimately we will select the company offering the package which best fits with our vision for local schools.

“It will also be the strongest in terms of realising our clear objectives in delivering local economic benefit for residents and companies.”

Balfour Beatty has done BSF and PFI projects in Knowsley, Rotherham and several London boroughs.

Equity Solutions is making its first bid for a BSF scheme, but is already involved in developing health and community facilities in Oldham.

The preferred bidder is due to be selected next year and the first work to be completed, in 2012-13, will be the new Catholic school, a replacement for Our Lady’s and St Augustine, and the refurbishment of North Chadderton on its upper school site.