Cornerstone Property Assets – which is led by former Partnership for Schools chief executive Tim Byles – has been chosen as the council’s delivery partner.
Most of the construction work is due to be completed by next September by Scape procurement framework contractors Kier and Willmott Dixon, Yorkon, and architects Surface to Air.
Chief Executive of Cornerstone, Tim Byles said: “The shortage of school places is an issue that is being felt across the country.
“Enfield is taking a highly innovative approach to addressing their shortfall, and subject to the consultation, we very much look forward to working with them to create the additional places in safe, secure facilities in time for the new school year in 2013.”
The schools currently being considered for expansion include: Broomfield School, Edmonton County School, Garfield, George Spicer, Grange Park, Highfield, Houndsfield, Oakthorpe, Prince of Wales, Walker and Worcesters Primary Schools.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ayfer Orhan, said: “We are running out of primary school places and we have a duty to provide our pupils with a high quality education in safe, secure and good facilities.
“This £22 million project will provide hundreds of extra primary school places in the areas they are most needed and improve our educational facilities ahead of the 2013 school year.
“We want parents and our partners to tell us what they think of the proposals so Enfield Council can be sure we get this project right and provide enough school places for Enfield’s pupils for years to come.
“Although nothing has yet been decided we have taken the rational step of appointing a development partner at this early stage to minimise delays to this project.”
John Frankiewicz, divisional CEO at Willmott Dixon Capital Works said: “We are delighted to be given the opportunity through Scape and Cornerstone to help create more school places for Enfield.
“Given our experience as one of the UK’s most prolific school builders, we look forward to being able to make a real difference to the quality of learning environment for hundreds of pupils across Enfield.”
Michael Edwards, Director of Kier Construction said: “Cornerstone have recognised both the transparent value for money processes and the speed of procurement that can be achieved using Scape frameworks.
“Kier plan to work closely with Yorkon, our specialist, offsite construction supply chain member, to deliver new modular classroom accommodation in six of Enfield’s primary schools.
“Kier constructed and handed over Enfield’s Oasis Academy in 2008, and more recently, the Enfield Heights Free School which opened in September 2012. We’re delighted to continue our association with the Council.”
Enfield Council will be funding the primary programme through Basic Need Funding, which will be supplemented by a land sale to Cornerstone of a transport depot in Melling Drive, Enfield that is due to be decommissioned.
