County council announces contractor to build new academy in Tamworth

Wilmott Dixon Construction Ltd is the selected panel member that will continue with design developments to build the new Academy in Tamworth.

The Landau Forte Academy, Tamworth will replace Woodhouse Business and Enterprise College in the existing buildings from September 2010 and in new buildings from 2011. The Academy will be split over two sites with 11-16 provision located on the Woodhouse site and a new Post 16 Centre for the whole town built next to Queen Elizabeth's Mercian School.

The county council has the responsibility for procuring the new academy buildings, on behalf of academy sponsors, with funding of around £35 million provided by central government through Partnerships for Schools (PfS).

The procurement process began earlier this year, when the PfS Academy National Framework contractors were able to put themselves forward to conduct the work. Following a detailed evaluation process Wilmott Dixon Construction were chosen as the selected panel member in a decision made on 18 December.

Ian Parry, Deputy County Council Leader, said: "Staffordshire County Council has worked closely with colleagues from Landau Forte Charitable Trust during the selection process with both bidding contractors have put an extraordinary amount of effort in throughout the autumn.
"This decision brings us one step closer to increasing the choice and diversity in Tamworth by introducing an Academy and demonstrates a major commitment to future secondary education in the area."

The future of the Academy was secured in October 2009 with government agreement to fund the day to day running costs. Construction of the new Landau Forte Academy, Tamworth will begin in summer 2010 with an anticipated completion date of September 2011.

Gary Church, the bid leader for Wilmott Dixon said: "Wilmott Dixon Construction is delighted to be working with Staffordshire County Council on this very important project. We look forward to building upon the relationship established with the county council to deliver previous successful projects."

There will be an open evening on January 7 2010, between 6pm and 8pm at Torc Campus where members of the public can come along and find out more information about the plans for the new Academy. More information about BSF and the Academy can be found by visiting: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/bsf Page Last Modified: 12/01/2010 08:54:08

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