Ministers visit BSF schools across England
10 September 2008
Children, Schools and Families Secretary, the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, is among the government ministers visiting BSF schools today as part of a tour of educational establishments opening for the first time this month.
Ministers will visit eight BSF schools – in Waltham Forest, Bristol, Manchester, Burnley, Leeds and Bradford – where they will learn more about the state-of-the-art facilities in these new and refurbished schools, and hear from students, teachers and school leaders who are settling into their new learning environment.
The visits to BSF schools include:
- Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, Minister for the Olympics and London, Tessa Jowell, and Tim Byles, CEO of Partnerships for Schools, will visit Kelmscott School, Waltham Forest
- Jim Knight, Minister for Schools and Learners, will visit Brislington Enterprise College, Bristol
- Beverley Hughes, Children’s Minister and regional Minister for the North West will visit Gorton Education Village, Manchester; Burnley Campus and Shuttleworth College, Burnley
- Rosie Winterton, regional Minister for Yorkshire and Humber will visit Allerton High, Leeds, Pudsey Grangefield, Leeds and Tong High School, Bradford.
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, the delivery agency for the Building Schools for the Future programme, said: “The start of the new term is a very important milestone for thousands of young people and teachers as they go back to brand new learning environments and 21st century facilities that will help them achieve their very best.
“BSF is not just about providing new buildings. It is about providing safe, welcoming and inspirational spaces where all learners are encouraged to reach their full potential.
“This new breed of school - of which over 20 are opening this month alone - provides every young person with a fresh start and new opportunities. A new school of itself is not a panacea, but when seen as a key ingredient alongside strong leadership, an energised teaching staff and engaged parents, the results can be outstanding. BSF schools that have been open for a year or more are already showing an impressive step-change in attainment, attendance and aspiration and I look forward to these success stories being replicated for every young person up and down the country.”
Notes to Editors
- This month 22 schools are opening as part of the BSF programme, bringing the total number of schools delivered to 35. New and refurbished schools are opening this month in Bradford, Bristol, Lancashire, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Solihull and Waltham Forest.
- Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. BSF will provide world-class teaching and learning environments for all pupils, teachers and communities in England. More information about the BSF programme is available at: www.partnershipsforschools.org.uk
- 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 DCSF (formerly DfES) and Partnerships UK.
