Partnerships for Schools conference, Winning Work in BSF
18 January 2006
Partnerships for Schools (PfS) hosted its second annual conference on Wednesday 18 January. The conference, Winning Work in Building Schools for the Future: Lessons to be learnt to improve your bidding strategy, was aimed at both public and private sectors, firms wishing to become involved in Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and local authorities wanting to learn more about the process.
The lessons learned from the Pathfinder and early Wave 1 projects were the main focus of the day. Speakers from PfS and key stakeholders in the Bristol Pathfinder project gave unique feedback from their experience at the ‘coal face’ of BSF. Key points included how to build successful partnerships, embracing ICT and education as the heart of BSF and maintaining a focus on delivery.
The keynote speaker, the Rt. Hon Jacqui Smith M.P, Minister of State for Schools, spoke of the planned educational reforms for 14-19 year olds, and the impact that BSF and the physical learning environment will have on the success of the reforms. She also outlined the unprecedented level of investment into school and education. By 2008, capital investment in schools will rise to £6 billion per year. One-third of this money will fund BSF, with the remainder going direct to the schools, local authorities and dioceses for modernisation, buildings and ICT.
“BSF will be a steep learning curve for all involved but Partnerships for Schools can offer sustained, meaningful support – sharing information and lessons learned, communicating developments in education policy and promoting positive local partnerships.” Rt. Hon Jacqui Smith M.P. Minister of State for Schools
Partnerships for Schools Chief Executive, Richard Bowker, spoke of the impressive progress of BSF so far, with 14 Pathfinder and Wave 1 local authorities already in procurement – eight of which have issued Invitations to Negotiate. In conclusion, he stressed the importance of best practice and information sharing, to continue the momentum of improvement in the programme.
Speeches and PowerPoint presentations from the conference can be downloaded here:
Keynote speech, Jacqui Smith MP
Commercial lessons from those projects that have selected a Preferred Bidder, Andrew Robertson (Partnerships for Schools), David Hutton and David Hunter (Bevan Britton)
Lifting the bar for Wave 2 & 3 Authorities, Brenda Bignold and Paul Higgins (Partnerships for Schools)
Enhancing and contractually delivering learning through ICT Steve Moss and Andrew Robertson (Partnerships for Schools)
Design: A cost and quality comparison of a BSF design with that of a recently opened PFI school, Beech Williamson (Partnerships for Schools)
Meeting the latest policy and programme expectations, Justin Slater (Partnerships for Schools)
Closing speech: Delivering a once in a lifetime opportunity, Richard Bowker (Partnerships for Schools)
