Gateshead Council

inspiredspaces achieved financial close on the South Tyneside and Gateshead ( STaG ) BSF  project in December 2007.  inspiredspaces is the private sector partner in the Local Education Partnership ( LEP ) along with Partnerships for Schools, South Tyneside and Gateshead Councils and Royal Bank of Scotland.  

South Tyneside and Gateshead Councils have established a unique and forward thinking partnership to deliver   BSF  and transform the lives of future generations and inspiredspaces are now in the process of turning that vision into reality.

The partnership between STaG  and inspiredspaces is to facilitate the achievement of STaG ’s vision of educational transformation through the procurement of appropriate school accommodation and related services. By creating radically improved school environments and educational climates, in partnership we will create the transformational step change for learners and the wider communities. The key objectives are:

• The establishment of a long term capital programme that delivers the educational vision and represents value for money for STaG ;
• To facilitate the continuous improvement of educational standards within STaG ;
• To strengthen the link between education, culture, training and jobs. Cultivating regeneration and increasing the life opportunities of those living within STaG ; and
• To create an environment where behaviours can lead to transformation.

The LEP  will deliver 9 secondary schools in the current wave of the BSF  programme along with a possible additional 4 SEN  schools for South Tyneside, with a total area of approximately 100,000 square metres. The schools will either be a new build PFI  or refurbished through a design and build contract. The LEP  will also deliver ICT  through a managed service to all schools across the project and provide facilities management services to the new build PFI  schools over the life of the 25 year concession contract.

Construction work is being carried out in three phases, the first of which started on site in January 2008 with all schools being open to pupils by 2012.

In Gateshead the LEP  is developing projects for The Thomas Hepburn Community School and Heworth Grange Comprehensive School. These schools are both refurbishment projects but include a significant amount of new build on both sites along with improvements to the external spaces to provide enhanced social and learning environments. Both of these projects started on site in 2009 and will be complete for 2011.

Futher Information

If you have any queries about the BSF  Project in Gateshead please contact Sandra Punton on 0191 433 3384 and if you would like to find out more about the South Tyneside Projects please visit their website below.