Eight BSF schemes get early green light

A number of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) schemes have been fast tracked, it has been revealed.

A number of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) schemes have been fast tracked, it has been revealed.

Eight councils across the country - Enfield; Hounslow; North Tyneside; Rotherham; Southampton; Staffordshire; Walsall and Worcestershire, have been granted the opportunity to have their schools projects brought forward by as much as five years.

The news follows Partnerships for Schools' invitation for all councils with a BSF scheme scheduled as Wave Seven Eight or Nine to apply for fast tracking.

Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "This is outstanding news for children, parents, teachers in these communities. It is right to give the go-ahead to projects which are ready to start so local authorities can target the schools that need it most.

"Our record investment over the last 11 years has made massive strides in addressing the depressing legacy of underinvestment in secondary schools. But we want to go further.

"Building Schools for the Future will transform the shape of education in every single community and future generations will reap the rewards of these fantastic new learning environments and facilities."

All 33 councils in Waves Seven to Nine were eligible to apply, although only 18 did. Of those 18 only eight were presently capable of beginning their new builds immediately.