On June 29th the council will set out its detailed plans for investment of £300m in sixteen secondary schools and invite responses from potential private sector partners.

By September the council will have whittled this down to a shortlist of three main bidders with final bids due in by July 2010.

The successful firm will be appointed on the basis of an initial 10-year strategic partnership. The programme is one of the biggest in the capital and will equip all schools with modern, flexible accommodation to suit different teaching and learning models.

The council will also seek to appoint a flexible and innovative ICT partner for a seven year period.

Each school will develop a centre of excellence in its own specialist area of the
curriculum. Wandsworth has been commended by the Audit Commission for its professional property management. The council’s children’s services are currently rated as outstanding by OFSTED.

Council leader Edward Lister said: “The Wandsworth BSF programme has already attracted substantial interest. It’s a terrific opportunity to work with one of the country’s leading authorities with a track record for excellence in education.

“Our schools have gone from strength to strength in recent years. The plans we will be outlining on June 29 have all been designed to improve the educational opportunities for our children still further and ensure they have the best possible learning environment.”

The Bidders’ Open Day takes place on Monday, June 29 at the Bank of England Sports Ground, Roehampton.

The council’s BSF team will introduce the details of its outline business case and procurement plan including presentations from head teachers and students.