EC Harris to project manage Hull academies

EC Harris has been selected to project manage two new academies in Hull.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has appointed the QS firm to project manage the construction of the Sports and Eco-Academy in West Hull and Archbishop Sentamu Academy in East Hull.

The schools, which will open in 2010 and 2011 respectively, will accommodate more than 3,200 pupils between the age of 11 and 18.

Until the new schools can open, the schoolchildren will be accommodated in existing buildings. Archbishop Sentamu school will temporarily open in 2009 and the Sports and Eco-Academy will be housed at Pickering High School from September 2008 onwards.

EC Harris will advise the sponsors on the schools’ educational vision, appointing principals and transferring existing staff. Once construction has started, the QS firm will look after the client’s interests.

The Sports and Eco-Academy will focus on environmental science and sporting excellence and is being constructed through the Partnerships for Schools programme.

Archbishop Sentamu Academy will provide lessons on health sciences, business and enterprise and is coordinated through the BSF scheme.

Mark Willett, partner for EC Harris based in Hull, said: “The DCSF specification was for one project management company to take on both projects to ensure that they are fully co-ordinated with local development plans to maximise their impact."

"The aim is that the effective integration of school improvement with community regeneration will break the inter-generational link between poor educational experience, achievement, employability and community cohesion.”