Press release: Headteachers back vision to transform secondary schools
18 December 2007
The first independent evaluation report into the Building Schools for the Future programme has been published by the DCSF.
The report, the first of the three-year study conducted by PwC, found that headteachers thought that existing unmodernised school buildings were generally poor or average condition and did not meet the needs of staff and pupils. But the survey revealed that nine out of 10 headteachers believed BSF will lead to improvements in personalised learning and improve the overall quality of teaching and learning.
Tim Byles welcomed the first survey, saying: "While it is still early days for the BSF programme, we are pleased that the first independent annual evaluation report is already showing the green shoots of success.
"As with any project of this scale, we are continually learning lessons and refining our processes. This first evaluation will help us in this, and we look forward to seeing the result of future research into the effectiveness of the BSF programme."
DCSF Press Release: First independent evaluation report into Building Schools for the Future published
The vast majority of headteachers believe the Government’s secondary school building programme will improve teaching, learning and behaviour and transform existing premises, according to an independent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers published today.
The first annual evaluation of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) found that headteachers thought that existing unmodernised school buildings were generally poor or average condition and did not meet the needs of staff and pupils.
But the survey of 1,918 schools revealed that nine out of 10 believed BSF will improve the overall quality of teaching and learning; over three quarters that it would broaden pupils’ curriculum; and over 60% that it would improve behaviour.
The three-year study will measure the educational impact of the national programme to rebuild or refurbish every single state secondary school in England.
The Government is investing £9.3 billion in BSF over the next three years – part of the overall £21.9 billion capital funding settlement for 2008-11.
Already 252 secondary schools have been completely revamped outside BSF since 1997. Now 1000 secondary schools are engaged in the first six waves of BSF, across 72 local authorities. The remaining local authorities will join from 2011 onwards.
The first school to go through the full BSF process, Bristol Brunel Academy, opened in September, with more to open by next spring. Momentum is building so that by 2011, around 200 newly built or remodelled schools will be opening a year.
The report’s key findings show:
- high expectations of BSF with the majority of teachers believing that the BSF programme will support educational transformation;
- headteachers thought the current condition of the unmodernised school estate, particularly the 500 academies and schools being rebuilt as part of the first three waves of BSF, to be poor or average. Nine out of ten existing schools were built before 1976, with the vast majority built between the 1950s and 1970s reaching the end of their design life and becoming increasingly unsuitable for modern teaching and learning.
- a full review of international literature shows a clear link between the condition of school buildings, quality of design and pupil performance and early evidence of a link between capital investment and attainment. It shows that new or refurbished buildings contribute to pupil performance;
- the need for early and deep consultation about the design and aims of each building project is needed at all levels and that although there is evidence of good involvement and engagement of headteachers and schools, they should be fully involved from the overall vision to design considerations;
- more scope to improve communication at all levels and to further to and reduce complexity of management which is perceived as a barrier;
- the appropriate level of resource should be available at school level, including possibly a dedicated BSF manager.
Jim Knight, Minister for Schools, said:
“Headteachers want to sweep away the legacy of underinvestment in secondary school buildings and the severe backlog of maintenance – that’s what the Government is fully committed to do.
“We have made a good start, raising capital investment seven-fold in real terms by 2011 and we have already built, rebuilt or refurbished 1100 new schools, including 252 secondaries, and 27,000 new or improved classrooms.
“But there is much more to be done - so in addition to the billions we give directly to headteachers for day-to-day maintenance, there are long-term national programmes to modernise secondary, primary and special schools.
“The report reflects the experiences of headteachers in the early stages of BSF – and it says it is too early to provide sufficient evidence about the overall effectiveness of the programme and findings are preliminary.
“It shows us the very strong positive expectations there are for BSF, which is very encouraging – it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform lives.
“But we have responsibility to the taxpayer to get the best possible value for money out of every pound of capital investment – we commissioned this official independent evaluation to listen to schools, to learn lessons and, where needed, to improve the management and delivery.
“There is no excuse for frontline staff to feel cut off from the design process and we have a duty to involve them at every stage so staff get the facilities they want and young people need.
“We have taken clear action in the last year to engage schools in the programme as early as possible – including bringing expert advice for schools, through outside experts like the Sorrell Foundation and CABE, and introducing full training programmes for headteachers and senior staff to get the most out of these projects.”
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, welcomed the first survey, saying:
‘While it is still early days for the BSF programme, we are pleased that the first independent annual evaluation report is already showing the green shoots of success.
“The report clearly shows that teachers and pupils are enthusiastic about the positive benefits new and remodelled secondary schools will have on transforming education, leading to improved teaching and learning, and the potential for better behaviour and performance. Only 11% of students said they felt inspired by their current learning environment. This demonstrates why the BSF programme is vital to providing 21st century schools which will help inspire young people to unlock their potential, provide better work places for teachers and put schools back at the heart of their local communities.
“As with any project of this scale, we are continually learning lessons and refining our processes. This first evaluation will help us in this, and we look forward to seeing the result of future research into the effectiveness of the BSF programme.”
Notes to Editors:
- Bristol Brunel Academy, the first school to have been through the full BSF process, opened in September 2007. There will be 12 BSF schools opening in this financial year; 50 in 2008-09; 115 in 2009-10 and 165 in 2010-11
- There are 72 local authorities (87 projects) in BSF waves one to six covering nearly 1000 secondary schools.
In addition to this, a limited amount of BSF funding was made available for school refurbishments and enlargements to Pathfinder and wave one authorities in 2004-05 and 2005-06 for ‘quick win’ projects – essentially to start the BSF ball rolling and get funding to the areas that needed it most.
These schools are in Solihull, South Tyneside, Southwark, Bristol, Greenwich, Bradford, Newham, Sunderland and Newcastle.
The three-year settlement also include £608 million - £8million each - for 76 local authorities yet to be involved in Building Schools for the Future to improve diploma provision for 14-19 year olds; improving facilities for young people with Special Educational Needs; and improved kitchens and dining rooms in secondary schools. - PricewaterhouseCoopers was commissioned by the Department to evaluate BSF through a OJEU procurement which started in 2005. Whilst the initial contract is for three years, there is expected to be an extension of elements of the study to enable a longitudinal evaluation of the impact of the programme on pupil achievement.
