EC Harris has won contracts to work on three of the government鈥檚 flagship free schools

EC Harris has won contracts to work on three of the government鈥檚 flagship free schools, including journalist Toby Young鈥檚 free school in west London.

The consultant will provide educational advice, recruit staff and set up the governance for Young鈥檚 free school; help with the business case for the I-Foundation Hindu primary school in Leicester; and design the King鈥檚 Science Academy in Bradford.

Simon Lucas, head of education at EC Harris, said the King鈥檚 Science Academy was also employing architect HOK and planning consultant RPS Group on its scheme, which will use existing buildings.

鈥淚t鈥檚 being developed in empty units on an industrial estate, near industrial office buildings,鈥� he said.

He said the teams helping the schools had experience of setting up about 20 academies.

Lucas said the parent groups founding the schools were finding the task daunting. 鈥淭hey are discovering just how hard it will be,鈥� he said.

The contracts all start immediately and are expected to finish in September 2011, the target date for the opening of the government鈥檚 first 16 free schools.

 

黑洞社区 School Exhibition & Conference(BSEC) takes place at ExCel London on 23 - 24 February 2011

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