Partnership for Schools chief, Tim Byles, is calling on ministers to put the £45bn school refurbishment programme on to a ‘more realistic' timescale. The ambitious plan to rebuild every secondary school in England over the next 15-20 years is behind schedule as LEAs struggle with complex procurement rules. By last November, just one scheme had been financially closed, although since then, four more have been completed and two are due by April. Mr Byles, ex-Norfolk CC chief executive who moved to PFS last November, told The MJ: ‘The original timetable was too optimistic and needs to be reviewed. I shall be seeking agreement for a more realistic timetable.'
