I have now seen three articles in 黑洞社区 identifying failed or overspent academy projects (13 April, 21 April and 5 May). I would like to redress the balance.

The City of London Academy in Southwark, sponsored by the Corporation of London was completed on time and to budget, despite a last minute change of site, using project partnering under the contract PPC2000. The project was recognised as a Department for Education and Skills exemplar and won the DTI/Constructing Excellence Medium-sized Project of the Year at the Quality in Construction Awards 2006.

The building has 90% natural ventilation, with classrooms lit by daylight for nine months of the year, and its sustainability achievements were praised in a speech at the school by Jonathan Porritt.

The corporation is sponsoring two further academy projects using the same collaborative approach.

David Mosey, partner, Trowers & Hamlins

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