Merton Secondary Schools PFI Project
As part of the schools reorganisation project, Merton's six community high schools became secondary schools in September 2002, taking children from 11-16. The six schools involved are:
- Bishopsford Community School
- Mitcham Vale High School
- Raynes Park High School
- Ricards Lodge High School
- Rutlish School
- Tamworth Manor High School
The client had as an aim; that in order to bring about the transition of the community secondary schools under Merton's reorganisation project, it was necessary to address significant change to the physical infrastructure at each establishment. This work was needed to accommodate both the extra pupil numbers attending the schools and to replace older poor quality building stock at each site. The objective was to provide state of the art teaching and ancillary accommodation for each school.
Our client therefore sought to achieve this aim through the adoption of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project which permitted significant private sector capital investment at the six schools, combined with a long term contract for the upkeep of the school premises and delivery of key facility management services.
After a lengthy procurement process, they entered into a PFI contract in November 2002 with NewSchools (Merton) Ltd. This contract permitted the refurbishment and new building needed at the schools, together with the delivery of the facilities management services at the schools for the next 25 years. The total capital investment for the six schools is approximately £57 million and the overall contract value is £228 million.
NewSchools (Merton) Ltd appointed Wates Construction Ltd for the construction works at all six schools and Atkins Asset Management for the facility management services. Facility management covers the cleaning, catering, grounds maintenance, site supervision, security and buildings maintenance at the schools.
- Bishopsford Community School - November 2003
- Mitcham Vale High School - March 2004
- Ricards Lodge High School - May 2004
- Tamworth Manor High School - May 2004
- Raynes Park High School - August 2004
- Rutlish School - December 2004.