Key lessons learned include:

Be an 'informed client': Local authorities should use any previous in-house experience of complex procurement projects (especially PFI) or school re-building programmes. However, be sure to highlight the differences in the BSF approach, and recognise that there needs to be a change in approach from previous projects, however successful. Arrange a de-brief and feedback session with the PFI teams to make sure lessons learned are addressed within BSF plans from the very beginning. Don't let previous bad experiences blight BSF - identify problems, develop solutions and move ahead with the new project.

Schools

Involve school community in the design process from the start: The involvement of teachers, parents and pupils in the design process is key, particularly during the briefing stage. Effectively involving the people who will use the school environment on a day-to-day basis can make a real difference to the quality of the final design.

Design

Views of the 'Professional Users': Listen to teachers and school staff about what will work and what won't, and about what they do and don't want in their schools. (Keep in mind that you must balance the needs of the current school leadership with the need for future flexibility and fitness for purpose.) This is essential if we are to avoid simply recreating new versions of old schools

Sample schemes: Choose two or three sample schemes only. This will help encourage better levels of engagement with bidders, reduced bid costs and reduced disruption to schools. The sample schemes must be representative of the body of work, in size, type, location, funding and scope e.g. include new build, refurbishment and SEN if your estate includes all of these. Experience to date has shown that the larger the sample, the less effective the outcome and the greater the delay in deciding on a Selected Bidder.

Competitive Dialogue

The local authority should have amassed all key information prior to OBC stage (e.g. warranted surveys and titles, relevant TUPE information);

ICT

Legacy protocols: Focus on - and understand - how legacy protocols can support and enhance solutions and contribute towards refresh solutions.