DTZ appointed on government’s school initiative

The global real estate firm will provide property advice on the Free Schools programme on an interim basis.

DTZ said the initiative is a core element of the coalition government's education policy. The Free Schools programme enables groups to set up schools independent of local authority control where there is local demand.

DTZ added it will support and advise Free School proposers as they acquire and adapt buildings for education use. DTZ will work alongside legal and technical advisers on the first tranche of Free Schools.

John Keyes, DTZ's director of corporate real estate consulting, based in Manchester and lead on this assignment, said: "To be involved in Free Schools at this stage is an exciting prospect, and we look forward to working with all those involved to make this pioneering initiative a success. The establishment of Free Schools across communities in England will present some interesting and complex property challenges. Every school will have different requirements and our property experts will be working closely with proposers to find the most cost-effective and sustainable solutions."

In November, a school in Sandbach, Cheshire, was one of the Free School proposals the Department for Education approved to move on to the business case and plan stage.