Private cash to build city's schools

Fifteen new schools will be built across Liverpool

A £300m school-building programme financed by private sector capital has been agreed in Liverpool.

Fifteen new schools will be built and three more modernised under a private finance initiative (PFI) between the city council and Jarvis Plc.

Construction and facilities-management company Jarvis will manage a number of services at the schools, including building and grounds maintenance, cleaning and catering over the 30-year period of the contract.

The agreement will see many of the city's most run-down schools either replaced or completely transformed, affecting 10,000 pupils.

It is a complex and intricate agreement that has taken several months to conclude

Colin Hilton, education director

Under the deal, which has the backing of the Department for Education and Skills, Jarvis will borrow the cash to carry out the work and will manage services at the schools.

The PFI agreement will deliver 14 new primary schools and one new secondary school over the next three years.

Three other schools will undergo extensive modernisation and improvement work

The project is expected to create 2,000 jobs during the construction work.

'Imaginative partnership'

Councillor Paul Clein, executive member for education and lifelong learning said: "This is tremendous news for education in Liverpool.

"We will be providing schools fit for the 21st Century.

"We have worked extremely hard to deliver this deal. This imaginative partnership with the private sector means millions of pounds extra investment for Liverpool's schools."

Colin Hilton, education director said: "It will provide decent quality buildings for pupils and staff. It is a complex and intricate agreement that has taken several months to conclude.

Jarvis has won contracts at scores of schools in the UK and Ireland

"Liverpool is leading the rest of the country in finding new and innovative ways to modernise and improve education in the city.

"Our pioneering agreement with Jarvis will help us provide a first-class learning environment for thousands of students.

"We can only reap positive results from this."

Jarvis has won contracts or been appointed preferred bidder to provide and maintain educational facilities at 83 schools across the UK and Ireland.