Islington Council has selected two bidders to go through to the next stage of Islington's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project. The two bidders -- Investors in the Community and Transform Schools - will now go head-to-head to prove their credentials to become the council's preferred partner for the programme. <br><br>To get this far, the two bidders have been through a rigorous selection process in which the council has evaluated their proposals to design, refurbish and rebuild Islington's secondary schools. In addition, their approach to partnering and their ability to provide ICT and maintenance services to schools have been thoroughly tested. <br><br>Over the next five years, around £130 million will be invested in making all of Islington's secondary schools fit for purpose. BSF will not only see substantial rebuilding and refurbishment of eight secondary schools, but a transformation in the way that education is delivered. <br><br>Cllr Ursula Woolley, Islington Council's Executive Member for Children and Young People, said: "This is a huge step forwards for education in Islington. We need to get it right, which is why our standards for choosing a BSF partner are so high. The new school buildings need to welcome, inspire and support all Islington pupils to help them achieve their full potential.<br><br>"Investing in our secondary schools and the future of all our young people is a top priority for the council. That's why we're committing millions of pounds currently tied up in commercial property to invest in education."<br><br>Over the next months, both bidders will continue to meet with schools, CEA@Islington and the council. Final proposals will be evaluated in May 2007, when the preferred bidder will be selected. At that point, the council will agree partnering arrangements and detailed planning applications for phase one schools will be submitted.<br><br>Ends<br><br>(ICT = Information and Communication Technology)<br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009