Hull's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) team has announced Balfour Beatty Construction (BB) as its first Private Sector Partner to deliver the 'early phase' of its £465m schools capital programme.

After extensive design discussions BB Construction are now moving forward with their exciting plans to design and build Sirius Academy, Ganton Special School and the Education Service for Hearing and Vision (ESHV).

Subject to achieving financial close and planning consent, the new Sirius Academy will replace Pickering High School, with Ganton Special School and the ESHV co-located on the same site. This visionary new 'learning campus' is a landmark moment for BSF and its partners, which will establish a new state-of-the-art Academy and special school provision in the west area of the city.

The new Academy, which is sponsored by Hull College, was named by a Year 7 pupil Dez Greenwood after Sirius Star, the brightest in the night sky. It is due to open as an academy in the existing building this coming September (2009) and will transfer in September 2011 to its new building alongside Ganton School and the ESHV.

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To support the Sirius Academy's specialism in sport, design features include a six-court sports hall, three Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs) and a 3G sports pitch and is certain to attract extensive use by both students and the local community. Just beyond the academy entrance there will be a fabulous open 'heart space' with large 'pods' housing ICT-rich specialist areas and an 'eco-dome' to enhance environmental sciences. The academy will make both an instant and lasting impression with its creative design and many exciting facilities such as dance studios, a hair and beauty salon and an external construction workshop, as well as opening its doors for extensive community use.

Should BB Construction successfully progress designs for a 'second phase' of work they will go on to build a brand new Kelvin Hall School on its existing site for 1,500 students.

Councillor Rick Welton, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Regeneration & Housing Strategy: "This is another key milestone towards improving the educational opportunities for the city's children. The new Sirius Academy will provide a great environment in which teachers and children can excel."

David Martin, BSF Project Director: "After almost three years of planning the new BSF strategy this is the first step of many towards delivering the transformation of learning in Hull so many have worked so hard to secure. Close behind this first appointment will be the second, much bigger appointment, due in September 2009, which will see either Balfour Beatty Capital or Esteem appointed to design and build all the other 19 secondary and special schools in the city between 2010 and 2015. The investment in schools is secured and the potential to change the landscape of Hull's schools and communities is just about to become a reality."

(CD/JM)