Cash to boost cutting edge learning
Date Published : 02 July 2008
A multi-million cash boost for Walsall schools is set to transform how secondary schools operate in their communities and should act as a further catalyst for the borough’s regeneration, education bosses said today.Walsall’s share of a £625 million Building Schools for the Future fund, announced last week, offers schools the opportunity to embrace the very latest developments in information technology to put them at the cutting edge of 21st Century learning.
Cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Zahid Ali today described Building Schools for the Future as ‘an opportunity to transform secondary education for generations of learners in Walsall’.
He said: “This should not be seen merely as a building programme but as a new approach to capital investment that will bring together significant investment in buildings and in Information Communication Technology to support Walsall’s education reform agenda. It is an exciting and inspirational programme which will be developed and delivered through a partnership between the council, its partners and all sections of the educational community, most importantly, schools, pupils and their parents.”
“We will use the project to both secure improvements in attainment levels and provide opportunities for young people less suited to traditional academic teaching and learning. New and improved school buildings will inspire learning and nurture pupils and staff and will provide resources for their local community.”
The council has made the commitment that Building Schools for the Future will be linked to the wider investment programmes across the borough and will act as a further catalyst for social economic regeneration.
This enormous capital investment in our schools will be planned alongside council initiatives including regeneration, libraries, sports and leisure developments and other partners including health, housing and private partners.
The council will use the procurement process to engage contractors to use local labour, develop the skills of local people and where possible buy materials locally.
Deputy leader, and cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Adrian Andrew said: “We have been selected to take part in this early wave of Building Schools for the Future because of our proven track record of delivering on large complex projects. Walsall Council put forward a very compelling bid to secure this money for our children.”
“We now have a tremendously exciting opportunity to really make a difference to the lives of our young people in the areas of attainment, inclusion and community engagement. But its impact will go much further, making an important contribution to our determination to build successful communities around great schools.”