Controlling the PFI process in schools: a case study of the Pimlico project

This article explores how the control procedures designed to ensure value for money in the context of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), operate in the context of schools, using the case of the Pimlico redevelopment project. The evidence casts doubt on the strict regulatory control of this project, particularly in terms of meeting the identified needs of the school, ensuring value for money and affordability. The article considers the suitability of the PFI methodology and the process to appraise PFI schools projects, where the interests and different responsibilities of the local education authority and school governors may conflict.