First UK PFI reaches 15 year milestone

Victoria Dock Primary School is celebrating its 15 year anniversary this week. The school was the first Private Finance Initiative Primary School in the UK to open its doors , meaning the building is funded, owned and maintained by a private company.

Sewell Group, the school’s PFI partner, manages and operates the building, leaving the Head Teacher and his staff to focus on delivering education. This successful formula has resulted in Victoria Dock being one of the most successful and sought-after primaries in the city and is recognised as a PFI national exemplar, having been described as a “model to follow” by four Secretaries of State for Education over its 15 years.

Denham Kite, Head Teacher, Victoria Dock Primary School said:

“It is truly amazing how quickly the first 15 years have passed. The partnership with Sewell Group is as strong as ever, growing and developing on both sides in a totally positive way.”

“We have benefitted in many ways in both staff development and pupil opportunities and hope that Sewell has benefitted too. We see them as part of the Victoria Dock family, helping us to reach the next level, supporting, trusting and challenging each other in a continually growing school and ever changing educational landscape. They have been with us day in, day out since the start.”

“The future is always exciting with opportunities around every corner. The school continues to grow and the increased pupil demand means the pressures and timescales to extend the school are now a huge priority.The opportunities at Victoria Dock Primary School give the children every chance of success and whatever the future holds, we want the partnership to continue and to go from strength to strength .

Graham Atkins, Director, Sewell Group said:

“When the school opened in 1999 we promised to be in it for the distance and to support the school as a proper partner; 15 years later we’ve kept that promise and will continue to do so.”

“This school is a shining example of how primary education should be delivered. It has had consistently ‘Good’ Ofsted inspections, has great partnerships with its parents, the local community, Little Learners Nursery and with Sewell, and excels  in its offering for the extra curriculum activities that it provides to children on a daily basis. The school currently holds the title of U11’s National Table Tennis Champions and has a multiple award winning choir to name but a few – its hardly surprising why it is such a popular school with parents.”

“Sewell Group is proud to be part of the Victoria Dock family and will continue to provide a facility that mirrors their exceptionally high standards of education in a professional and hassle free environment.”