Liverpool has unveiled a radical alternative investment plan for its secondary schools following the cancellation of its Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

In summer 2010 the Government axed Wave Six of the scheme, which would have seen £350 million spent rebuilding or refurbishing each school in the city.

Council Leader Joe Anderson subsequently commissioned a Task Force to look at a rescue package to see how the city could deliver more for less in the absence of previous levels of Government funding.

This piece of work has now been completed, and the city is now bringing forward an alternative set of proposals over two phases. The first is targeted at eight schools which are most in need, based around:

• Improving education
• Boosting the local economy
• Building stronger local communities

The proposals include an exciting new design concept never before seen in the UK or Europe for three of the schemes called EdVenture.


Schools are built under a structure similar to a modern airport terminal building, which is far cheaper than the traditional method. It offers more flexibility as the internal layout and even the entire use of the site can be changed in the future.

Council Leader Joe Anderson said: "When the Government axed our Building Schools for the Future programme, we were determined to find an alternative way forward to make sure our youngsters get the best possible start in life.

"I would like to thank Max Steinberg and the Task Force for their hard work over the last year, and I am pleased that the city council is now in a position to bring forward some firm, deliverable proposals for consideration.

"We have addressed some of the key concerns of Government around the cost of Building Schools for the Future by coming up with an innovative alternative for constructing schools which gives huge flexibility at a much lower cost.

"We believe that by working with all of the possible partners such as schools, the Dioceses and private developers, together with the sale of sites we can deliver Phase One of the programme.

"However, if we want to complete Phase Two as well we will need financial assistance from the Government so we will be doing our utmost to convince the Department for Education that it deserves a contribution from Whitehall."

(CD/GK)