Third Annual Report on BSF Published
PricewaterhouseCoopers published their third annual report on BSF in March 2010,
"Evaluation of Building Schools for the Future (BSF): 3rd Annual Report". The Report
focuses on assessing the early impacts of the BSF programme with schools involved
in the evaluation ranging from Wave 1 to Wave 6a.
BSF as a capital investment programme
The Report found that the overall investment in Schools
has increased approximately 10 fold over the last 10 years, and it is projected
that from 2008/09 to 2010/2011 BSF will account for approximately one third of total
capital investment in school buildings.
The Report did note some concerns from headteachers who perceived buildings/refurbishment
to be completed behind schedule. 38% of headteachers believed that their schools
new/refurbished buildings were not on target to be completed on time and 92% perceived
that slippage had occurred in the completion timeframe in the last 12 months. The
Report states that the perception of headteachers is at odds with Partnerships for
Schools (PfS) data which sets out that 90% of schools contracts are delivered to
deadline. In recognition of this, the Report recommends that PfS engage with Local
Authorities to better understand headteachers’ criticisms.
Objectives of the
programme
The Report suggests that the interviewees were generally
positive that the objectives of the programme appear to be being met. 81% of headteachers
agreed or strongly agreed that BSF will contribute to educational transformation
in their
school. Although, some interviewees suggested that on refurbishment projects
there was the potential for attainment to dip during the construction phase. The
Report recommends that PfS provide further support to schools in relation to understanding
educational transformation. The Report also suggests that Local Authorities provide
support to schools during the building process to ensure that the transformational
potential of the new buildings are maximised.
Approach to procurement
It was found that headteachers are now more knowledgeable
and have more experience of the Local Education Partnership (LEP). The Report
noted an increase in the proportion of headteachers who agreed or strongly agreed that
the LEP could result in cost efficiencies. However the Report also sets out that
there is still a strong reluctance amongst those interviewed to accept the ICT managed
service provision. Less than two-fifths of headteachers indicated that the use of
the LEP for ICT maintenance and other related services would be a positive thing
for their schools. The Report suggests that the potential benefits of the managed
service provisions should therefore be more carefully explained to schools to help
secure buy-in.
Management and consultation
process
The Report notes that a greater proportion of headteachers
are either very satisfied, or satisfied with the advice, support, and guidance they
have received compared to 2008. The overall findings of the headteacher survey also
suggest greater satisfaction levels with the consultation processes for schools
than the previous year. One of the recommendations set out in the Report was that
Local Authorities should request that schools assess their own capacity to engage
with the programme and the level of support required prior to the completion of
“Strategy for Change”. The Report notes that this could enable schools to have a
greater ownership of the BSF transformation agenda.
Early impacts of
BSF
The Report makes clear that the majority of headteachers
are positive about the benefits derived from their new/refurbished buildings in
relation to providing a more stimulating environment, improving the poor condition
of buildings and support in tackling fundamental design issues. Visits to school
sites suggest that the new school buildings have promoted a more effective use of
ICT. Furthermore, headteachers of those schools already in their new buildings indicate
that there are high aspirations that the new/refurbished buildings will impact positively
over time.
There were however, some mixed views in relation
BSF’s cost effectiveness, with one third of headteachers agreeing or strongly agreeing
that BSF will be more cost effective than other capital investment programmes. The
Report does note though that the DCSF is acting on suggestions in relation to measuring
value for money.
Conclusions and
Recommendations
With the General Election looming, the future agenda
for BSF is yet to be decided. The overall findings of the Report appear positive,
with an increased awareness amongst those interviewed on the benefits of BSF. However,
there are still issues that need to be addressed, especially in terms of the schools’
perceptions of the ICT managed services.
To access a copy of the Report please
click here
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For More Information Contact:
Graham Burns
TPP Law Limited
53 Great Suffolk Street
London SE1 ODB
t 020 7620 0888
f 020 7620 0778
e info@tpplaw.co.uk
Email: Graham
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