Project managers slashed in second academies revamp

The government has cut the number of project managers it uses on the city academy programme from about 30 to 10.

The teams that have been selected are: Capita Symonds, EC Harris with VT Education & Skills, Mouchel Parkman, Cambridge Education (Mott MacDonald), Alligan, Nord Anglia Education with Buro Four, Appleyards Consulting, PKF, Place Group and Tribal Children’s Services.

This is because the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has rationalised the workload by merging two frameworks into one, called the project management and educational services framework.

Before, one of the frameworks was made up of construction project managers and one of educational specialists. Now, each team is expected to provide both services.

Projects can get support from a funded project management firm

DFes spokesman

The new framework will run for three years with an option of a one-year extension. It can be used by local authorities when delivering an academy project.

A spokesperson for the DfES said: “All academies projects can receive support from a DfES-funded project management company that supports the sponsor and project steering team through the feasibility and implementation stages of a project until the academy opens.”

Last week, Building revealed that contractors on the national academies framework, which was established in February, have also fallen foul of changes.

Partnerships for Schools, which runs the framework, has now decided that most academies will be procured through Local Education Partnerships, a separate vehicle established to deliver the Building Schools for the Future programme.