Building blocks are in place for a sixth multi-million pound transformation of a school in Sunderland’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Sunderland City Council and Balfour Beatty Construction (Northern) Limited have now agreed contracts for the £14.4 million revamp of Washington’s Biddick School Sports College.

Expected to begin this autumn, the work is all part of the council’s £120 million programme, which will revolutionise education in Sunderland by introducing cutting edge technology to the classroom and creating 21st century buildings. Biddick’s major remodel will allow its pupils, staff and community to enjoy new facilities by spring 2010.

The revamp includes hi-tech teaching and learning spaces linked to existing areas by a large flexible space that can be used for the performing arts and other activities. Key features also include a relocated learning resource centre.

Biddick School is the latest partnership between Sunderland City Council and Balfour Beatty, who have already secured contracts to rebuild Washington School and create three Sunderland Model Academies.

It also builds on a £16 million agreement already reached between the council and technology provider RM to implement a managed ICT service and install state-of-the-art computer systems in the city’s BSF schools.

Sunderland City Council Leader, Councillor Paul Watson said: "This is excellent news for Biddick School Sports College and for Sunderland. It is the latest example of how BSF, one of Sunderland City Council’s flagship projects, is gathering real momentum in our city.

" We now look forward to the next stage of our partnership with Balfour Beatty Construction and RM, so that together we can ensure that BSF transforms learning opportunities for children and young people throughout Sunderland."

Kevin Donegan, Director and General Manager of Balfour Beatty Construction (Northern), said: " Working in partnership with Sunderland City Council, Balfour Beatty are delighted to be signing the Contract to design and construct a new school that is both ‘transformational’ and ‘state of the art’ and is a great achievement for all involved.

" The contract poses many challenges with regard to the construction of a building in the heart of an operational school, however Balfour Beatty have the experience and expertise to ensure any effects on the teachers and pupils are minimal."

The £120 million BSF programme being delivered by Sunderland City Council is seeing Washington School completely rebuilt and three new Sunderland Model academies created.

These are: Academy 360, in Pennywell, sponsored by people and property business Gentoo; Castle View Enterprise Academy, in Castletown, sponsored by Northumbrian Water; and Red House Academy, in Hylton Red House, sponsored by software and technology group Leighton and the University of Sunderland.

Sunderland City Council is co-sponsoring all three academies.

Sunderland’s BSF picture is completed by a major refurbishment at St Robert of Newminster RC School and a major ICT update for Sandhill View School, part of the contract with RM to provide new technology for the BSF schools.

Washington’s Oxclose Community School, one of the first BSF schools in England, was opened in 2007 following an £11.5 million refurbishment that kicked off Sunderland’s programme.