Press release: Partnerships for Schools celebrates learning through experience
22 March 2007
Partnerships for Schools today announced a number of initiatives designed to help share best practice and disseminate lessons learned from the early days of the Building Schools for the Future programme.
Speaking at PfS’ annual conference, Chief Executive Tim Byles announced the formation of the Chief Executives Advisory Group and plans to establish a new National Learning Network on BSF.
Tim Byles said:
“For a programme of this magnitude and vision, it is only right that we take the time to reflect – collectively – on what has worked well and what we need to improve on. We are all learning from experience and should pride ourselves on continuous learning and improvement.
The new Chief Executives Advisory Group will help harness that learning and ensure that through initiatives like the new National Learning Network our new schools truly are inspirational environments that will help students for generations to come to achieve their full potential.”
The Chief Executives Advisory Group comprises eight local authority chief executives and 4Ps. It has been tasked with thinking through ways in which to identify and share best practice amongst the local authority community and to consider ways to pool resource amongst authorities.
CEAG’s first meeting took place on 21 March and the first item discussed was the introduction of a new National Learning Network for local government. The Network will provide a more formalised and structured nexus of learning covering both preparation for, and delivery of, BSF.
At the conference, Tim Byles also indicated his intention to explore further ways in which to boost capacity in local authorities, including considering introducing a mechanism through which local authorities can buy in expertise from larger, more experienced authorities.
In a message to delegates at the conference, the Prime Minister, Tony Blair said:
“There is probably no more ambitious school building programme in Europe than Building Schools for the Future. Our new build and renewed schools will not only re-energise staff and students, but will revitalise our communities as well.
This is a programme that is, quite simply, about investing in the futures of our children and the future of our country. It is something that I am proud this government has been able to begin. And I thank all of you for the contribution you are making to its success."
The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, recorded a video message for delegates at the conference. View the Prime Minister's video message
Notes to Editors:
- Membership of the CEAG comprises:
Tim Byles, Partnerships for Schools
Mark Lloyd, Durham Council
Caroline Tapster, Hertfordshire Council
John Sinnott, Leicestershire Council
Barry Quirk, Lewisham Council
Roger Latham, Nottinghamshire Council
Barbara Spicer, Salford Council
Sir Robert Kerslake, Sheffield Council
Peter Rogers, Westminster Council
Chris Wilson 4Ps - At the conference, PfS broadcast for the first time a number of short film clips of students talking about how their new schools are making a real difference to the way they feel about learning & education. The clips can be viewed online on the confernce page on the PfS website.
- Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. The aim is to rebuild or renew every one of England?s 3,500 state secondary schools during the 15-year lifetime of the £45 billion programme.
- Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the delivery agency for Building Schools for the Future. PfS was established in April 2004 as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), and is operated and funded under a joint venture between DfES and Partnerships UK.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Amy Leonard, Communications Director, Partnerships for Schools: 07960 116966
