Barnsley is a metropolitan borough of the metropolitan county of South Yorkshire, England. Its main town is Barnsley.

Barnsley is creating a brand new future for every learner in the Borough – demolishing all of its existing secondary schools and creating new 'Advanced Learning Centres' in their place.  Unlike some local authorities, Barnsley is undertaking a 100% rebuild of its existing secondary school estate and with no refurbishment, PFI (Private, Finance Initiative) plays a significant part in the process.  Divided into three stages, the construction of the nine Advanced Learning Centres (as well as two new special schools) will commence in 2008 and be completed by 2012. 

Laing O’Rourke is the largest privately owned construction firm in the UK.  Laing O'Rourke have a track record of delivering a wide range of educational facilities; currently partnering with local authorities through school framework and BSF programmes across Manchester, Newham, Barnsley, Salford and Wigan and in Scotland through Edinburgh and Perth & Kinross Schools.

John Laing plc is a specialist owner, operator and manager of public sector infrastructure assets in the UK and internationally. Parents, teachers, politicians and community leaders all acknowledge the importance of the learning environment to our children's education. Nearly 65,000 pupils of all ages already rely on us for their educational facilities and it is a responsibility that we take very seriously. Our principal asset is our experience. Whatever the type of school required - nursery, primary, secondary, special needs or further education college - we've done it before. We understand how local education authorities work, their objectives and their aspirations. 

John Laing Integrated Services is a leading facilities management business providing a full suite of operational services to public and private sector clients, spanning local authority, education, rail, police, housing, health, waste and parks.  John Laing Integrated Services will provide facilities management services on the Barnsley PFI project over the 25 year concession.

Building Schools for the Future Investments (BSFI) is a limited liability partnership whose members are the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and Partnerships UK.  BSFI invests in Local Education Partnerships under the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme. 

Civica’s education solutions enable secure information and resource sharing. Together with Microsoft, the company has developed a managed learning environment offering a broad solution from electronic registration and cashless catering to student portals. One of the foremost providers, Civica has a 20 year pedigree in education and learning.

In Barnsley, as well as providing ICT hardware and developing the Managed Learning Environment, Civica will provide a managed service to be adopted borough wide in Barnsley schools.

Civica recently picked up the “Most Effective ICT Partnership” award at the 2nd annual Partnerships for Schools BSF Awards.