Official opening of Beaumont Leys by new minister for schools

Miller Construction was invited to join the official opening of Beaumont Leys Specialist Science School on 16th June.  The school, which forms part of the Leicester BSF (Building Schools for the Future) project and was delivered six weeks ahead of programme by Miller, was officially opened by Vernon Coaker, MP for Gedling and the new Minister of State for Schools.

The new school, initially intended as a refurbishment project, was delivered for Leicester City Council by the Leicester Miller Education Company (LMEC) as part of the Leicester BSF project.

Minister for Schools, Vernon Coaker MP, said: “BSF is building a new generation of secondary schools springing up around the country, with outstanding facilities right at the heart of their local communities. Beaumont Leys has laid down a marker for the rest of the BSF programme – and will give generations of pupils the best start in life, and teachers an outstanding environment to work in.”

Mr Coaker was joined by Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, who said: “Beaumont Leys School graphically illustrates the positive impact Building Schools for the Future is having on the lives of students, teachers and communities across the country.  I am delighted that the Minister’s first official visit is to a BSF school – particularly a school which opened six weeks ahead of schedule.

“Beaumont Leys has been transformed into a dynamic learning environment that pupils – and indeed the whole community - can be proud of, and which we hope will help give young people in Leicester the very best start in life.”

Over 1,000 pupils and 150 members of staff will benefit from the £14m new learning environment which has received a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.  However, the local community will also be able to make use of the new facilities, including, the sport’s hall; dance and drama studios; and dining facilities which are suitable for conferences and weddings.

Liz Logie, Headteacher, Beaumont Leys Specialist Science School, said: “The students at Beaumont Leys School have responded with huge enthusiasm toward their new school. There is a palpable sense of pride in their behaviour and attitude. They love the colours which they describe as both energising and calming.  The students are also taken with their smart cards which they use to register in lessons, to buy food, to take out library books and to print their work.”

Tom de la Motte, Joint Managing Director, Miller Construction, said: “It is a great honour for us to be here today with the rest of the team from the Leicester Miller Education Company.  From the very start of this project we have enjoyed a really positive relationship with Leicester City Council and with the school itself.  This partnership helped us to understand and embrace the schools vision, ensuring that we were able to deliver an exemplary building six weeks ahead of programme that is fit for a 21st century education and able to meet the changing needs of future generations.”

Beaumont Leys is one of four schools in the first phase of the £235m Leicester Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme.  Being delivered by LMEC and built by Miller Construction, the extensive extension at Fullhurst Community College is complete while the refurbishment is due for completion shortly.  Works are also complete at Soar Valley and Judgemeadow.

Ends

Contact: Adele Lothian, 0870 336 2141, 07718 516 565 adele.lothian@milller.co.uk

Notes to editors:

• Leicester Miller Education Company is the Local Education Partnership (LEP), which was formed to deliver the first wave of BSF projects and consists of a partnership between Miller, G4S, Leicester City Council and BSFI.   (www.leicestermiller.co.uk)
• Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. The aim is to rebuild or renew England’s state secondary schools estate during the lifetime of the programme.
• Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the delivery organisation for Building Schools for the Future. PfS was established in April 2004 as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). PfS is a 120-strong organisation, with specialist expertise including educationalists, designers, ICT specialists, commercial managers and project management. (www.partnershipsforschools.org.uk)