Building Schools for the Future
Latest news...
February 2009
- The revised national programme for BSF is published here.
April 2008
- Consultation: The Management of Building Schools for the Future
waves 7 to 15
This consultation sought views on a range of proposals for how waves 7 to 15 of Building Schools for the Future are managed, taking account of developments in government policy since the programme was first launched, and also the lessons learned from the early waves. This consultation ran until 4 July 2008. The consultation can be found here.
Proposed Indicative Timetable
DCSF issues this consultation 9 April 2008
DCSF holds consultation meetings May/June 2008
Final date for responding to the consultation 4 July 2008
DCSF issues guidance on revised expressions of interest August 2008
Local authorities submit revised expressions of interest October 2008
DCSF announces revised national programme, and sets off the next tranche of authorities to provide evidence of readiness to deliver early 2009
DCSF announces next authorities to enter programme, followed by Remit meetings spring 2009
December 2007
- DCSF procured PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2005 to carry out an independent
evaluation of this major programme. The main aims of the work are to evaluate
the impact of BSF investment on educational achievement and to learn early
lessons to inform the programme's development. Ministers have welcomed the
report and its findings. The first Annual Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers on this evaluation
has now been published, and also the supporting Technical Report. The Literature Review from the Technical Report is also
available as a separate document.
November 2007
- First wave 5 Strategies for Change submitted
Authorities in wave 5 of BSF — which officially started in the programme in September — are now submitting their Strategies for Change Part 1 for approval. Meanwhile, the DCSF expects more projects in wave 1 to reach financial close and start construction shortly. More soon...
October 2007
- Westminster and Hackney appoint selected bidders
London Borough of Hackney and Westminster City Council have both announced the appointment of selected bidders for their BSF projects. Hackney's chosen partner, Mouchel Parkman Babcock Education, will work with the Council, and the Learning Trust, to deliver its £167 million BSF project, while Westminster will work with Bouygues Partnership for Education and Community to refurbish and rebuild its schools. Read the press releases for Hackney and Westminster.
September 2007
- Waltham Forest LEP
The first LEP in London has been formed in Waltham Forest. The authority signed a contract with Bouygues UK and Ramesys on 24 September. The £250 million programme will deliver new and improved buildings to inspire and encourage high class teaching and help improve pupils' attainment in the borough. Read Waltham Forest's press release. - First new parent promoter school
The first brand new parent-promoted school in the country — The Elmgreen School (TES) — opened in Lambeth on 10 September. The vision is for a school at the heart of its community and working closely with parents 'to provide a creative and innovative curriculum, encouraging the highest standards of teaching and learning within an ethos of mutual respect, harmony and achievement.' For its first two years TES will be housed in a converted primary school before moving to its new permanent home in 2009. The school is a key part of Lambeth's plans to provide more school places for Lambeth residents through BSF. Read Lambeth's press release on The Elmgreen School or visit the school's website. - Prime Minister opens first BSF school in Bristol
Gordon Brown formally opened the first new build school to be delivered through the BSF programme on 6 September. Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls joined the Prime Minister to celebrate the start of term at the new Bristol Brunel Academy. The Academy, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, was delivered by the Bristol LEP — a partnership between Bristol City Council and Skanska. For more details see the press releases from the DCSF and PfS.
August 2007
- Select Committee Report
The Education & Skills Select Committee published its report entitled Sustainable Schools: Are we building schools for the future? on 9 August. Download the full Select Committee report. Download the Government's response to the report. Download the PfS response to the report. - PfS Newsletter
Download the Summer 2007 edition of PfS's newsletter — Insite— with updates on the programme, articles on delivering Academies and standard toilet designs, and an interview with Schools Minister Jim Knight.
July 2007
- Tenth BSF contract signed
Sheffield has become the tenth local authority to sign a contract for its BSF project. The Sheffield LEP was formed on 31 July with the Paradigm consortium. The full BSF programme in Sheffield is valued at almost £400 million. It will see the rebuilding, refurbishing and/or upgrading ICT provision for all of Sheffield's secondary schools, including those for pupils with special needs, in just five years. Read Sheffield City Council's plans. Read PfS's press release on the ten BSF contracts, worth £2.5 billion, that will transform education in 139 schools across the country. - Newcastle LEP formed
On 10 July, Newcastle City Council signed a contract with Aura Learning Communities to form a Local Education Partnership which will deliver over £200 million of investment. The project will bring new facilities to 16 schools in the city. Read more in the Council's press release. - PfS launches 'Lessons Learned' web pages
A new Lessons Learned section is now available on the PfS website. This draws on experience from the early waves of BSF but will be updated as the programme develops.
June 2007
- Sunderland's first BSF school
Minister for Schools, Jim Knight, officially opened Oxclose Community School, Washington on 20 June. Oxclose's £10.6 million refurbishment makes it the first of nine schools in Sunderland to benefit from a £120 million programme of investment through BSF. Read more in Sunderland City Council's press release. - Creating excellent secondary schools
CABE — the Government's adviser on architecture and the built environment — has produced a new guide for everyone involved in the design and building of new secondary schools. 'Creating excellent secondary schools: a guide for clients' advises on how to deliver real transformation through a step-by-step look at the school building process, from vision to completion. Hard copies of the report are being mailed to all local authorities and schools currently involved in BSF. Copies can also be downloaded from CABE's website.
Last updated: 02 March 2009
