Key lessons learned include:

Use the experience and expertise of PfS: Our staff have been through the process before.

Readiness to Deliver: From Wave 4 onwards, local authorities must pass a Readiness to Deliver test: see Readiness to Deliver guidance and the Strategy for Change guidance. Local authorities allocated to Waves 7 or beyond can use the guidance as a self-assessment tool to judge their readiness and prepare their plans. 4ps offer free support to local authorities in these early stages, focusing on successful project delivery.

Promoting diversity: From Wave 4 onwards, the Office of the Schools Commissioner (OSC) reviews BSF strategies. Be clear about how the strategy for BSF creates high quality school places for all and encourage schools to be self governing.

Consultation

Ensure that your stakeholders are fully engaged: BSF, with its focus on transforming secondary education, is larger than anything most local authorities have had to undertake previously: work to date has highlighted the importance of ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of and understand the scale, objectives, benefits and challenges ahead. Projects that do not engage in a meaningful way with their stakeholders run a far higher risk of failure.

Consult with Sport England, County Sports Partnerships, the Arts Council and other appropriate bodies: This will help ensure that strategic development of sports and arts facilities is not duplicated and offers value for money.

From January 2008, Partnerships for Schools has recommended that all local authorities entering BSF get pupils more involved in the design process for their schools. The revisions will urge councils to make the best use of the opportunities offered by the Sorrell Foundation, through the Joinedupdesign for BSF programme.

ICT

Becta resources: The Government's technology agency is a key partner in BSF. They can provide advice and guidance to local authorities and individual schools. The ICT self-review framework was developed for use in BSF.

Design & Sustainability

Design advisory costs: Each local authority receives 15 days with a CABE Enabler, funded by the DfE. All other design costs (e.g. client design adviser) incurred in bringing the scheme to the market must be met by the local authority.

Design Quality Indicator for Schools (DQIs): DQI for Schools offers a valuable opportunity for wide and effective consultation on plans, designs and finsihed buildings. While it is mandatory to undertake a post-occupancy DQI in BSF, PfS also strongly advise the use of DQIs in the planning stages, to encourage the promotion of users' views. Contact the Construction Industry Council (CIC) for a facilitator.

Appointing design advisers: Use a design champion and CABE Enabler to appoint a good client design adviser (CDA) and technical adviser. This is mandatory in BSF. Find out more about the role of CDAs in BSF (Word doc).

DfE resources: The DfE has introduced a national framework of eight 'doorways' towards sustainable schools, one of which is 'buildings and grounds'. For more information, online tools and teaching suggestions, go to www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools/

Wider resources: The Carbon Trust is offering free site surveys and practical design advice to schools in BSF. For more information on how to reduce your carbon footprint and save energy go to www.carbontrust.co.uk