Hackney LBC's ambitious plans to modernise its schools have taken a giant leap forward. The council and Mouchel Babcock Education have joined forces to deliver Hackney's £167m Building Schools for the Future programme. Over a five-year period, six secondary schools and four special schools in Hackney will be refurbished or rebuilt. The deal also includes a £9.6m investment in ICT. Progress will be fast – hand-over of the first group of new buildings is already scheduled for February next year. Hackney becomes the 25th BSF project to reach financial close, signalling a continued acceleration in the delivery of the programme. Cllr Rita Krishna, Hackney's cabinet member for children's services said: ‘Our strong partnership will help us deliver modern and fit-for-purpose facilities which will serve the whole community.' Tim Byles, chief executive of Partnership for Schools, the organisation responsible for delivering the BSF programme nationwide, said: "This is excellent news for the young people, teachers and the wider local communities in Hackney, and we congratulate all those involved on reaching this milestone.'
