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31 January 2005
Lilian Baylis Technology School in Lambeth Opens its Doors
The new Lilian Baylis Technology School, previously located in outdated buildings in Lollard Street, London SE11, has opened its doors to 600 students from the London Borough of Lambeth.
An elaborate extravaganza was held at the end of the Christmas term to say a final goodbye to the old school building with magicians, jugglers, fire-eaters and trick cyclists mingling with the students, ending with a spectacular fireworks display.
The school is named after the theatrical personality, Lilian Baylis, who managed London’s Old Vic from 1912 to her death in 1937, and in 1927 rebuilt the derelict Sadler’s Wells Theatre, making it a centre of opera and ballet.
The London Borough of Lambeth awarded the Lilian Baylis PFI project to FocusEducation (Lambeth) Ltd in March 2003. FocusEducation is a 50/50 joint venture between Bovis Lend Lease and Halifax Bank of Scotland. Under this special purpose vehicle Lend Lease Facilities and Estates Management will be responsible for maintenance, catering, cleaning and waste disposal at the school for the full 25-year operating period.
"As a result of these PFI contractual arrangements the head teacher and his teaching and administrative staff will be allowed to concentrate solely on the education of their students," says Diana Ironside, Lambeth’s project manager for the new Lilian Baylis Technology School.
Adam Conyers, Bovis Lend Lease’s project manager for the Lilian Baylis Technology School, says: “This has been a complex but rewarding project to work on. The obvious enthusiasm of the students for the new school both when visiting it during construction and on seeing it on completion make it all worthwhile.”
Like the students and staff, Kevin Donnelly, head of asset management planning and development for the London Borough of Lambeth, is absolutely thrilled with the school and its new image. Moreover, during construction, he has been highly impressed by the professionalism shown by Bovis Lend Lease and its total commitment to the school’s successful delivery. He states: “In my opinion, it was the best managed site I’ve come across in my 30 years in the business.”
For further information, please contact:
Andrew Isherwood
Tel: 020 8271 8348
Bovis Lend Lease
Stephanie Highett
Tel: 020 7831 3113
Financial Dynamics
Notes to Editors
The land provided for the new school was an old Council depot close to the Oval cricket ground, and necessitated the demolition of various structures and building new access roads, at the same time maintaining access for local residents and businesses.
The main three-storey building is of steel frame construction, with a sports hall and canteen. Outside there is an auditorium, play areas, winter gardens, tennis/netball courts and an all weather pitch. At ground level there is a community learning resource centre named the Redfearn Centre. The total net floor area is approximately 7,000 square metres.
The new school is designated as a technology school as state-of-the-art information and communications technology will be used extensively in the teaching of the national curriculum.
During the daytime the Redfearn Centre will be used to provide lifelong learning skills and education for young people with physical and learning difficulties. In the evenings and at weekends it will be made available for use by the local community, and the design allows for access to the school library from the community learning resource centre. It is also envisaged that interested groups will be able to make use of the sports facilities outside of normal school hours.
The project team comprises:
Project director - Colin Andrews
Project manager - Adam Conyers
Senior construction manager - John Mash
Construction manager - Paul Lausch
Commercial manager - Martin Summerley
Services manager - John Doyle
Design manager - John Pryce
Facilities manager - Eamon Elstedmedia
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