Building Work to Start at Two Schools

Ealing's severely reduced BSF project

Final contracts between Ealing Council and Balfour Beatty have been signed signalling the go-ahead for the borough’s reduced Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.

Construction work on the complete rebuilding of Dormers Wells High School, Southall, and the major refurbishment and partial rebuild of The Cardinal Wiseman School, Greenford, is expected to start in January. This is the result of more than five years of planning and preparation by Ealing Council.

The scope of the original BSF programme included the expansion, rebuild and refurbishment of 17 high and special schools in the borough and the building of a new high school in Greenford. A major programme of investment in schools’ information and communication technology (ICT) was also planned.

However, the national BSF programme was cancelled in the summer and Ealing learned in August that only the Dormers Wells High School and The Cardinal Wiseman School projects could continue.

Councillor Patricia Walker, cabinet member for Children and Young People said: “I am delighted for the pupils, parents and staff of these two schools. They have been waiting for this day for a long time.

“The council first started bidding for BSF money in 2005 and we have had some major setbacks along the way. We are now focussed on getting the maximum benefit out of these two building projects and lobbying government for the extra funding that our other schools need.”

David Swarbrick, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Education said: “The project represents a significant investment in education in the borough and I look forward to seeing the innovative designs take shape over the coming years and supporting the continued success of the schools.”

Maggy Aylott, Headteacher of Dormers Wells High School, said: “We are all very excited at the thought of seeing our brand new school building take shape. Staff and students have put so much work into this project. I’m delighted that work is finally going to start and we are all looking forward to the new facilities which will help us to further improve the already outstanding education we already deliver.”

Michael Kiely, Headteacher of The Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, said: “This investment is very welcome and will support the excellent teaching and learning already taking place here.
 
“Our students and staff are going to benefit from a range of new facilities including a new entrance, sports hall and library and we are looking forward to opening the school up more for the local community .”

The council is now pressing government for the financial assistance needed to meet the future demand for secondary places in Ealing.

14 December 2010