9 Nov 2004

On 9th November 2004, staff, pupils and Governors at Blackwater Community Primary School celebrated the start of their £1.7 million building project with a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

The project at Blackwater is part of Cornwall's second £228 million Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme involving 17 primary and secondary schools. Representatives from Interserve, the LEA and the County Council's PFI Project Team joined County Councillor Malcolm Moyle, Chairman of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee; local County and Parish Councillors and staff, Governors and the 84 pupils at the ceremony.

The ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official handover of the first phase of works, involving the provision of a new car parking and delivery area, and the start of the major building phase at the school. 

Malcolm Moyle said " I am delighted that we can now look forward to this exciting project.  When we look at Blackwater, it is clear what an improvement £1.7m will make – not just to this but to future generations of children here.   The PFI scheme in its entirety brings a massive investment into Cornish schools and brings a much improved learning environment to around 3,787 children".

The scheme at Blackwater includes the construction of an extension to the western side of the school to provide two new classrooms (replacing two temporary classrooms), together with a hall, practical area, kitchen and a lobby / reception area.  Existing areas of the school will also be extended and refurbished and remodelled to provide one classroom, an ICT suite, library and staff room.

The PFI 2 scheme will see seventeen schools in Cornwall transformed over the next three years under the contract with Pyramid Schools (Cornwall) Ltd, a consortium comprising Interserve and the Bank of Scotland.  The 28-year contract, which is the culmination of three years planning, involves £133 million of grant from the Government.  More than £45 million will be invested in the school buildings over the next three years, and all 17 schools will be maintained for the next 28 years.

John Vyse, Interserve Executive Director, commented " Cornwall County Council's commitment to improving its schools is impressive and we're proud to be involved in delivering the new facilities to the pupils, teachers and parents at Blackwater".