Building Schools for the Future

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the biggest ever school buildings investment programme. The government committed about £2.2 billion in its first year (2005-06) to local authorities and schools to spend on maintaining and improving their school buildings. From 2009 onwards the role of culture in education transformation and community engagement will need to be formally considered as part of the BSF process. Local authorities and schools will be asked to plan how culture will impact on their projects.

Purpose

By 2011, every local authority in England will have received funding to renew at least the school in greatest need - many will have major rebuilding and remodelling projects underway through BSF and the remainder will have received resources through the Academies programme or Targeted Capital Fund. Investment will be rolled out to every part of England over 15 waves, subject to future public spending decisions.

The programme aims for a real improvement in the quality of provision. The wider local community can use school facilities, including ICT and library areas, drama, art, technology and sports facilities. Allowing access to these areas can be addressed through the design and management of the building and met through BSF funding.

Applications

BSF offers the necessary capital to deliver improved community facilities within local secondary schools. As a consequence, the capital commitment from the Local Authority can be less. As soon as a local authority hears that it has been invited to participate in a BSF Wave, it should start preparing for the project by following this project process:

  • Stage 0 - Preparing for BSF
  • Stage 1 - Project initiation
  • Stage 2 - Strategic planning
  • Stage 3 - Business case development
  • Stage 4 - Procurement planning
  • Stage 5 - Procurement
  • Stage 6 - Contractual close
  • Stage 7 - Construction
  • Stage 8 - Operation

Background research and further advice

Read more about the role of arts and culture in Partnerships for Schools

For more advice and publications, go to the Building Schools for the Future programme

Local authority guidance in Requirements and guidance on culture for local authorities entering the second half of the Building Schools for the Future programme, July 2009

Links to case studies

You can find the following case studies within the toolkit:

  • Orford Park, Warrington

More case studies about some of the grants that BSF has made can be accessed on Building Schools for the Future Case Studies.