Blue Book
The Blue Book is a guidance document on capital funding for Voluntary Aided (VA) schools in England. The latest version (2006-07) is not available hard copy but can be downloaded.
You can view or download the whole document but note this document is 60 pages long. Alternatively, you can download individual chapters. To download the whole document click here.
Part 1 — This section contains the contents and an overview of the whole document. It also provides details of what is new to the blue book and information on the latest changes to the way we administer the VA capital programme. To view this section click here.
Part 2 — Here you will find details of the basic principles on responsibilities for work to VA school premises and how they are shared between the LA and the governing body. To access this and additional information on the definition on capital and revenue and details of how much grant you can claim, click here.
Part 3 — To access details on the range of funding programmes currently available to VA schools, click here.
Part 4 — To find out more about the responsibilities of governing bodies and their relationship and responsibilities with consultants and the local authority, click here.
Part 5 - Building Approvals. Once you have agreed with local partners how the project will be funded, you should then apply to the Department for approval to carry out the work. To find out how to do this click here.
Annex A — To access a glossary of terms, click here
Annex B - Insurance arrangement for VA schools is currently under revision. Please make any enquiries to Steve Atkinson, VA Capital Team Manager, on 01325 391264.
Annex C — To find out how proceeds of sale from voluntary aided schools are managed click here
Annex D — To find out about provision of sites and leasing of sites for voluntary aided schools click here
Annex E — To find out about loans to voluntary aided school governing bodies click here
Annex F — The Voluntary Aided Schools Information System (VASIS) allows schools, local authorities and dioceses to access information on their allocations and projects. For more information click here
Annex G — To find out about pooling of Devolved Formula Capital (DFC), click here
Annex H — To obtain information on submitting your proposals for scrutiny by the Department's architects click here
Annex I — The Government promotes sustainable school buildings, for more information click here
Annex J - Design Quality Indicator (DQI) for Schools, Design Quality Indicator (DQI) for Schools is a tool which provides a framework for the assessment of school design. To access the DQI framework please click here
Annex K — The Voluntary Aided (VA) Capital Team is part of the Department for Chidlren, Schools and Families. To access the VA Capital Team's customer Charter please click here
Last updated: 08 January 2008
