Transforming Learning in Walsall was the name for the programme of improvements to learning across Walsall. It combined a number of existing education transformation programmes including Building Schools for the Future, Primary Capital Programme, Academies and Education Capital Programme under one umbrella.
A national review of school buildings is being carried out following the decision to review the national Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.
The announcement in July confirmed that plans to rebuild or refurbish six Walsall high schools under the BSF scheme would be frozen. Only those projects nationally that reached financial close in their procurement process will now continue to go ahead. Walsall schools had not reached that stage in its BSF programme.
The review is also taking into account all major school building improvement schemes, including academy projects and the proposed University Technology College.
The purpose of the review is to change the way school building programmes are delivered to ensure best value for money in school projects. The review will guide future spending decisions and overhaul how capital is allocated and targeted. It aims to provide a genuinely robust, efficient and fair system for future school projects.
An indication of the level of funding available to support any future capital programme will be reported in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) on 20 October 2010.
Cabinet member for children's services in Walsall Councillor Rachel Andrew said: "This announcement was disappointing although not unexpected. "We are reviewing our plans with regards to improving school buildings and await a further announcement from the Department for Education on the Government's proposals to improve the fabric of school buildings.
Walsall Council Leader Councillor Mike Bird said: "We had anticipated this decision so we need to pause, reflect and then wait for the outcome of the official review."
The six secondary schools which had been part of Walsall's BSF programme were:
The outcomes from this review will be reported on this website.
Alternatively visit the Department for Education website for more information.
The capital allocation for Grace Academy, Darlaston and Shelfield Community Academy was confirmed on the 6 August 2010.
This page was last updated on 27 August 2010