Kier Group appointed to undertake the construction of the new Falmer Academy

Brighton & Hove City Council has appointed Crawley-based Kier Group to undertake the construction of the new Falmer Academy. Work will commence this summer, with phase one of the new building ready for staff and students to move into in September 2010.

Says Vanessa Brown Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, 'Kier Group has been chosen after a competitive and rigorous tendering process. The company is able to demonstrate good value for money as well as imagination and expertise in the area of school design. In addition they have committed to boosting our economy by creating jobs for local people and providing a range of opportunities for young people in the area.' 

Falmer Academy sponsor Rod Aldridge, who was part of the evaluation panel, says, 'I'm delighted with the choice of Kier, they have been involved in flagship building projects across the country, and their design for Falmer Academy is inspirational.  It will provide state of the art facilities as well as being a highly sustainable asset for the pupils and the community.  I very much look forward to the new Academy taking shape.'

In addition to providing a boost to the local economy Kier Group has committed to involving students and parents as the building progresses.  The design will be available on the Falmer Academy website (www.proposedfalmeracademy.org), at Falmer High School and at Kings House, Hove.

Steve Smith,  Framework Manager for Kier Education, says, 'Kier is delighted and proud to be selected as preferred bidder to deliver the Falmer Academy as part of the PfS Academies Framework and looks forward to building on the excellent relationships developed with the Authority, Sponsor and stakeholders.  The Academy is set to become a landmark building for the community of Moulsecoomb, providing a great opportunity for us to demonstrate excellence in the design and delivery of first class educational facilities for the 21st century.

We look forward to developing our scheme with the pupils and staff of Falmer High School together with the local community, to construct a new Academy building that will inspire future generations to come.' 

Ends

Notes to Editors:

The Academy will replace the existing Falmer High School. It will have the capacity to educate 1,150 students aged 11-19, provide sixth form education for the first time and will specialise in Entrepreneurship and Sport.

The Academy's Principal Designate was appointed earlier this month. Phil Hogg will join the Academy when it opens in September 2010 and will become Principal in September 2009. 

The build programme commences in summer 2009.  Phase one of the Academy will open in September 2010, with all works to be completed by December of 2011.

See the designs on the Falmer Academy page.